Death of Dickie Davies: Legendary sports presenter dies as tributes pour in

Tributes have poured in following the death of legendary sports presenter Dickie Davies at the age of 94. The death of Davies, who anchored World of Sport from 1968 to 1985, was announced on Sunday.

The news of Davies' death was announced by former colleague Jim Rosenthal on social media as he wrote: "With immense sadness we announce that Dickie Davies passed away this morning. So proud of his 20 years in the World of Sport, 3 Olympic Games and a distinguished TV career, he is survived by a loving wife, two adorable sons, four grandchildren and two beloved dogs."

Former Sky Sports and Blue Peter presenter Simon Thomas took to Twitter to pay tribute, writing: 'Rest In Peace Dickie Davies. Absolute giant of sports broadcasting. talkSPORT Tom Ross said: "So sad to hear that Dickie Davies has passed away - fantastic as a World of Sport presenter. RIP.

And BBC rugby commentator Andrew Sheridan added: "A legend of sports broadcasting and an integral part of my Saturdays in my youth."

Davies, who was born in Cheshire, stayed on at ITV after World of Sport ended and continued to present billiards, boxing and darts. He also played a key role in broadcasters' coverage of the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.

Davies then took on a presenting role at Eurosport, but suffered a stroke in 1995, which affected his speaking for nearly two years. But he recovered and made a successful return to television, presenting his own show Dickie Davies' Sporting Heroes.

The TV host was originally known as Richard Davies until famed presenter and friend Jimmy Hill suggested he be called Dickie. "My wife and all my friends used to call me Dickie, but in the TV world Richard was considered to sound much better," Davies said in an interview with The Guardian in 2006.

"One day, on our way to a round of golf, Jimmy said to me, 'Why don't you just tell them you want to be known as Dickie? It sounds a lot better." So that's what I did - and the difference it made was pretty phenomenal. I suddenly started having people in the street shouting, "hi DD". I think it just sounded friendlier."

"A lovely man, with a superb professional style, people could learn a lot from him and Des Lynam," @Byrdsman75 wrote on social media as the tributes continued to pour in on Sunday night. And @lookoutwales2 added: "Awfully sad news. Thoughts with you and all former Dickie colleagues - just Mr ITV Sport. RIP."