Tony Sopel was a hugely influential figure in the TV industry (Picture: Ric Gemmell/Radio Times via Getty Image)

Lorraine Kelly paid tribute to the ‘wonderful and kind’ BBC wildlife presenter Tony Soper after his death aged 95.

Soper, who co-founded BBC’s Natural History Unit, has been remembered by his TV colleagues on social media after his death was announced yesterday.

Lorraine, 64, said on X that Soper was one of her first guests on her TV-am show and described him as a ‘joy and a delight’ to interview.

Soper joined the BBC at 17 as a ‘youth-in-training’, progressing to features producer in radio, where he worked on shows including Birds In Britain.

He later moved into television and presented live programmes including Birdwatch, Birdspot, Discovering Birds, Discovering Animals, Beside the Sea, Wildtrack and Nature. 

Soper also co-presented Animal Magic with Johnny Morris for a few years in the 1960s.

More to follow.

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