Veteran broadcaster Walter Love has died aged 88, after a career spanning 77 years.
The BBC Northern Ireland radio personality, who presented shows including the popular Love in the Afternoon and Radio Ulster’s Day By Day, passed away on Friday morning, his family said.
His final show, Jazz Club with Walter Love, aired for the last time in 2023.
Mr Love’s relatives described him as ‘dearly loved’ after confirming he had died at a nursing home following a short illness, the BBC reported.
Mr Love started his long career in the 1950s as a BBC radio freelance contributor.
Veteran BBC broadcaster Walter Love died aged 88 on Friday morning, his family confirmed
Mr Love presented shows including Love in the Afternoon and Day By Day for BBC Northern Ireland over his 77-year career
Pictured: Mr Love at BBC Belfast. The long-serving broadcaster was awarded an MBE for services to journalism
He then took a job as a studio manager in London, before becoming a TV news anchor in Belfast.
He joined Radio Ulster in 1978, where he also presented Sunday show Love Forty, and received an MBE in 1997 for services to journalism.
BBC Northern Ireland director Adam Smyth described Mr Love as having a ‘hint of mischief’ while being ‘genial, kind and cheerful.
He also paid tribute to the long-serving broadcaster’s ‘incredible’ performance on air, as well as his ‘melodious voice’ and ‘encyclopaedic’ musical knowledge.