David Vine, the veteran sports broadcaster, has died of a heart attack aged 73.

Vine fronted a huge list of shows, including It's A Knock Out, Miss World, the Eurovision Song Contest, Match Of The Day and Grandstand. He also hosted the BBC's Olympic, snooker and tennis coverage as well as A Question Of Sport and Ski Sunday.

Vine, who celebrated his birthday earlier this month, died last night at his home near Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. He had triple heart by-pass surgery several years ago.

Paul Madeley, his publicist, said that since Vine's retirement he remained working as a consultant for the BBC.

He described Vine as "a true and utter gentleman at all times.

"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," Madeley said. "He was like a member of my family. He was that close."

Vine presented the BBC's coverage of World Snooker Championships until his retirement in 2000 because of a heart condition. His last broadcast for the BBC was as a weightlifting commentator at the Sydney Olympics.

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