Veteran BBC presenter David Vine dies aged 73

TV PRESENTER David Vine has died of a heart attack at the age of 73, it was announced today.

In a BBC career spanning four decades, he was the first host of A Question Of Sport and frontman for Ski Sunday. Vine also appeared on Match Of The Day and Grandstand.

Other credits included It's A Knock Out, Miss World and the Eurovision Song Contest.

Vine, who was born in Devon and started his career in newspapers, died last night at his home near Henley-on-Thames. He had triple heart bypass surgery a few years ago.

His publicist Paul Madeley described him as "a true and utter gentleman at all times", adding: "I don't know of anybody who is regarded as he was in terms of his professionalism and dedication, whether he was presenting or commentating."

Among the highlights of his career was commentating during the 1985 final of the world snooker championships between Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor, which was watched by 18 million viewers.

He also berated John McEnroe for abusing a Wimbledon umpire. Vine told him: "What right have you got to call anyone an incompetent fool?"