Sir Paul McCartney thanks school friend Peter Sissons for 'the good times' after newsreader's death

Sir Paul McCartney has thanked former school friend Peter Sissons for “the good times”, after the newsreader’s death at the age of 77.

Sissons died in hospital in Kent on Tuesday.

McCartney (and his fellow Beatles star George Harrison) went to school with the journalist in Liverpool in the 50s.

Read more: Tributes after Peter Sissons dies

Sharing a picture of himself and Sissons as children on his website, the singer said he was “so sad” at the news.

He wrote: “Dear Peter, my old school mate from the Liverpool Institute (now LIPA) has passed away.

“It’s so sad to hear the news.

“We were in the same year and stayed in touch as time went by and we both followed our separate careers.”

McCartney said Sissons was “a talented news presenter with a great sense of humour”.

“I will miss him but always have fond memories of the time we spent together,” he said.

“My sympathies go out to his family and I send my love to them all.

“Thanks for the good times Pete. X.”

Read more: Paul McCartney still dreams of John Lennon

Many figures from the broadcasting world paid tribute to Sissons after his death.

Newsreader Jon Snow called him a “consummate journalist”, while broadcaster Andrew Neil said he “excelled at everything he did”.

Writer and entertainer Julian Dutton tweeted a picture from 1951, which showed Sissons with another Beatle – John Lennon – and Jimmy Tarbuck. The trio attended primary school together in Liverpool.

“The class of '51 - Peter Sissons clasps John Lennon's shoulder while Jimmy Tarbuck strikes a boxer's pose,” Dutton wrote.

“The Dovedale Junior School three with all that future ahead of them.

“RIP Peter Sissons.”

Sissons worked in journalism for more than 40 years, after joining ITN in 1964.

He is survived by his wife Sylvia and three children.