Journalist Wooldridge dies at 75

Ian Wooldridge reported from 10 Olympic Games

Acclaimed sports journalist Ian Wooldridge has died in hospital aged 75, the Daily Mail has said.

Mr Wooldridge, who won a host of awards for his sports coverage, died peacefully after battling with cancer.

He was widely regarded as one of the greatest sportswriters of his generation and continued writing his Daily Mail column until his death.

He worked for the newspaper for nearly half a century after making his name as a cricket correspondent.

Known as 'Woolers'

Well known for his enthusiasm for his subject, Mr Wooldridge gained fans across the world and picked up a number of industry awards.

The man known as "Woolers" to his friends and colleagues covered every major sporting event for the Daily Mail, including 10 Olympic Games.

He was twice named newspaper columnist of the year, five times sportswriter of the year and four times sports feature writer of the year.

He was also given awards for his lifetime contribution to sports journalism and was one of the first people to be inducted to the newspaper Hall of Fame, which celebrates the country's most influential journalists.

Mr Wooldridge, known to be a committed royalist and reportedly a great friend of the Princess Royal, was made an OBE for his services to journalism.

He leaves a widow, Sarah, and three sons.