Broadcaster Brian Moore dies

Brian Moore retired after the 1998 World Cup in France

Football commentator Brian Moore has died.

The 69-year-old television broadcaster died early on Saturday morning at his home in Kent, surrounded by his family.

Moore's career spanned three decades after he joined London Weekend Television in 1967, and he retired at the end of the 1998 World Cup final in France.

Former Arsenal goalkeeper and sports commentator Bob Wilson led the tributes.

"I am just very privileged to have known him the way I got to know him," said Wilson.

"I think that if I had to give a tribute to Brian as a commentator it would be that I don't think there is anyone in the world of football, and football is a big world, who had a bad word to say about him."

'Voice of football'

Moore began his journalistic career sub-editing for World Sports, before moving on to the Exchange Telegraph for two years and The Times for three.

He joined the BBC in 1961 as a radio presenter and commentated on the 1966 World Cup final.

Two years later, he moved to ITV and Moore became known as the channel's "voice of football" until his retirement.

He then made a comeback in 1999 with a series of interviews with footballers on Sky Sports.

Moore had a heart scare in 1986 and underwent life-saving heart surgery in 1987 and 1995 for blocked arteries.

He was married to Betty Cole since 1955.