Tributes have been paid to broadcaster David Jacobs, who has died aged 87.

Mr Jacobs, who lived in East Preston near Littlehampton, died after suffering with Parkinson’s disease and liver cancer.

He became a household name presenting Juke Box Jury, Pick Of The Pops and Any Questions? and only stepped down from his Radio 2 show last month due to ill health.

A BBC spokesman said Mr Jacobs died peacefully at home surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his third wife Lindsay Stuart-Hutcheson and three daughters from his first marriage.

TV and radio personality Zoe Ball, from Hove, tweeted: “Dear David Jacobs has passed away. One of my all time favourite broadcasters. ThankYouForTheMusic RIP dear chap.”

DJ Tony Blackburn also said on Twitter: “Very sad to hear that David Jacobs has passed away, another great broadcaster no longer with us. I'm proud to have known him. RIP David.”

Tony Hall, director general of the BBC, said: “He was one of the great broadcast personalities and we shall all miss him tremendously.”

The veteran broadcaster led a private life in East Preston but was involved in charity work and in 2011 helped promote That Helping Hand, which gave practical advice to people |over 75.

Launching the initiative at the Littlehampton Rotary Club, Broadmark Parade, he said: “It is not until you reach your older years that you realise such things as trying to retrieve something from the attic or turning a mattress are not as simple as they once were.

“Even tasks such as changing a battery in a smoke alarm or sorting through a pile of paperwork can be daunting in the extreme.”

Jacobs’ life was marred by tragedy, with his only son Jeremy killed in an accident in Israel aged 19, and his pregnant second wife Caroline killed in a road crash in Spain weeks after their marriage.

Born in London in 1926 he worked in Navy broadcasting producing plays and comedy shows.

He made scene-stealing appearances in Blankety Blank, The Frank Sinatra Show, Come Dancing, Pick Of The Pops, Miss World and What’s My Line.

He was awarded the CBE in 1996 in recognition of his work in broadcasting and for cancer charities and alcohol advice groups.