Tony Soper dead: BBC presenter dies aged 95 as Lorraine Kelly leads tributes to ‘wonderful and kind’ TV pioneer

BBC PRESENTER Tony Soper has died aged 95 - with Lorraine Kelly leading tributes to the "wonderful and kind" TV pioneer. Wildlife presenter and BBC Natural History Unit co-founder Soper's death aged 95 was announced on Wednesday. Soper fronted programmes including Birdwatch and Beside the Sea.

Lorraine Kelly said: "On one of my very first shows presenting on TVam, this wonderful kind man came on to talk about his book on owls. He was a joy and a delight." Wildlife presenter Stephen Moss said: "Very sad news - Tony Soper was a huge influence on generations of birders and broadcasters.



"I had the huge privilege of working with Tony and getting to know him. "The last person who was there at the start of the BBC Natural History Unit. A lovely man.

" Soper is survived by his wife Hilary, their sons, and five grandchildren..