'First class film critic' Barry Norman dies aged 83

Film critic Barry Norman has died at the age of 83, leaving behind an "enviable career" as film's longest running host.

His family said he died on Friday night, in his sleep, having enjoyed "a great life, a wonderful marriage and an enviable career".

The print journalist turned presenter was the face of the BBC's Film from 1972 to 1998, becoming the show's longest running host before moving to Sky TV.

He also wrote for the Daily Mail as a "gossip journalist" before moving to the Guardian as a columnist.

"For three decades he was the guy who told you what to watch and what not to watch," his literary agent, Gordon Wise, told Sky News.

"He also brought an extraordinary understanding of how a film was made," he added.

"You'll remember those little, mini documentaries he'd make, talking to the incredible directors and seeing the stars at work rather than just being celebrities.

"He brought a whole new understanding of film, I think, to at least two generations."

Norman's laid back interviewing style and the way he downplayed Hollywood stardom became a trademark of his show, with the presenter famously spatting with several A-listers.

His most famous riff was with actor Robert De Niro, whom the presenter got "nose to nose" with after an interview.

"Well, I was never going to try and punch him," Norman later recalled in an interview.

"Come on, I may look stupid but I'm not really. He was a lot younger than me and a lot fitter than me," he added.

The issue was around De Niro's rumoured attempt to play Tom Hanks' part in the 1988 comedy Big.

Norman asked De Niro if it was true he had "begged" for the part, and the Raging Bull actor took it personally.

"There was a moment there when I thought he might hang one on me," Norman said.

"I was not looking forward to that moment."

There was also the time he confronted Bruce Willis with the fact that his sci-fi drama Armaggedon was laughed off at Cannes, or the time he told Mel Gibson he was not nearly as tall as he was.

Western film star John Wayne called Norman a "goddamn pinko liberal" after the two disagreed on the Vietnam War.

Away from his legendary career, the film critic was also a proud husband and family man.

He was married to journalist and author Diana Norman - who wrote a series of best-selling historical thrillers under the name Ariana Franklin - for 54 years, until her death in 2011.

"I was working as a gossip writer on the Daily Sketch for my sins, which was the only job I could get, and she was working as a very highly respected writer on the Daily Herald, as it was then," he recalled.

"We met in Fleet Street and married."

There was also a famous rumour surrounding Norman's supposed crush on actress Michelle Pfeiffer.

"It was generally believed I was madly in love with Michelle Pfeiffer," he told the Guardian.

"I wasn't. Although I did like her very much. I do think she's beautiful."

Norman said he was never rich, having left TV "before they gave out the monopoly money", and earning more from his famous "Premium Pickled Onions" business.