Tributes following death of 'kind-hearted and gentle' North East Metro Radio presenter Brian Moore

Tributes have poured in after the death of "kind-hearted and gentle" former Metro Radio presenter Brian Moore, who died aged 52 on Saturday.

Brian passed away peacefully in his sleep at home in Devon, his family confirmed on social media on Sunday. The former presenter came to the North East to head up Metro Radio's breakfast show, where a team was built around him including Anna Foster, Catboy, and Marky Mark giving traffic updates from a helicopter over the North East - winning a Sony Radio Award for Best Breakfast show in 2005.

He went onto establish the popular Top 10 at 10 on his mid-morning show, and presented in various slots for both Metro and later Greatest Hits Radio. But away from the airwaves, former colleagues, friends and family have painted the picture of a gentle, kind, and funny man who had time for everybody.

• Read more: Tributes following death of Hexham councillor who 'always had a smile on her face'

• Keep up to date with all the latest local news from Newcastle with our free newsletter

Angela Moore posted on Facebook on behalf of hers and Brian's children David and Georgina: "It breaks our hearts to even put these words together. Yesterday we lost our beloved dad Brian Moore.

"He passed away in his sleep peacefully. He had been poorly since 2018 after having his stroke.

"Dad was a friend to many and anyone he met. Those of you who were lucky enough to have met dad always came away with a smile.

"He was a loving brother, son, cousin, brother-in-law, an uncle, a son- in-law, friend and our dad. We will miss him so much and our hearts are broken. Never will be the same without him.

"We love him dearly. RIP Dad until we meet again."

Sally Aitchison, former MD at Metro Radio, brought Brian to the North East from Rock FM in Preston. She described Brian as a consummate professional, saying: "Of all the presenters I've worked with, Brian was such a gentle, kind-hearted man.

"He raised huge amounts of money for Cash for Kids, and he'd do anything. It's really sad and too early."

Alex Roland, former programme director at TFM, said in a post on Facebook: "Brian was the same self deprecating humble bloke off the air as he was on the air, thus amassing an army of friends who admired him for his warmth, loyalty and good humour. Gone, but certainly never to be forgotten, at least as long as we, that were close to him live on to share the wonderful memories he left us with - RIP mate x."

Tony Horne, who hosted the breakfast show on Metro when Brian was on mid-mornings, described him as a "fantastic friend" and said: "Every picture I've seen today and every picture I can see in my head, he was always smiling and laughing. People just generally like him and he had time for everybody - he was fun, kind and just really, really good company."

"You never get to meet all those people who listen to you, but that relationship he had with the audience reciprocates who he was as a person. I don't think Brian knew how much people valued him and how much people liked him, that's one of the saddest things about all of this."

Abi Garrido, Metro Radio Big Audition 2015 winner, said: "Brian was always so kind to me and so supportive of my singing. He always went out of his way to make everybody feel so welcome wherever he was, he truly lit up the room.

"He's a true one of a kind and I feel so lucky to have been able to call him a friend and to have had him in my life. He will be deeply missed by everyone."

Dom Munnelly, regional marketing director with Hits Radio, issued a statement on behalf of the station formerly known as Metro Radio, which read: "We are all very saddened to hear about Brian's passing. He was a kind and incredibly talented person and loved across the industry.

"We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and those that had the privilege of working with him during his extremely successful career in radio."

Dom added: "I was lucky enough to work with Brian for several years, and he really was a consummate professional. He was an absolute gentleman. He would light up a room wherever he went, and most of all, he was a genuine man."