ITV Granada Reports presenter Tony Morris has sadly died aged just 57

ITV Granada Reports presenter Tony Morris has sadly died aged just 57.

Tony passed away at Bury Hospice on Saturday, after he was diagnosed with kidney cancer last year, ITV reports.

According to reports, his daughters Natalie and Rebecca were at his side.

Fans of Tony and Granada Reports will have seen him on their screens until just a few weeks ago, with the veteran broadcaster having presented the show for 17 years.

His co-presenter Lucy Meacock paid tribute to him: “He was without doubt one of the most humble, kind and funny people I have ever met, and he would often make me laugh till my sides ached.

“I am so very, very sad and my heart goes out to his daughters Nat and Becky.  A smile from Tony Morris always brightened everyone’s day and certainly brightened up the whole of the North West for 17 years.”

Lucy West, Head of News at ITV News Granada Reports, said: “Tony was a remarkable man; first and foremost he was an amazing dad to his two daughters and our thoughts are with his family.

“A brilliant presenter and journalist who could disarm the most challenging of guests. Tony led our viewers through some of the darkest of days, yet he was always able to offer some reassurance and warmth.”

Tony grew up down in Portsmouth and spent a lot of his childhood in foster care, joining the RAF after he left school.

When he left the RAF, Tony joined the BBC as a local radio trainee, and first arrived on TV screens by accident, when he was asked to fill in for a newsreader who couldn’t make it in – back when he was a producer.

Tony presented both national and regional news at the BBC, before joining Granada from the BBC’s North West Tonight back in 2003.

Tragic news, our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.