A former BBC high flyer was found dead on a crowded beach.

John Dimick, 52, a former head of business and marketing for the BBC World Service, appeared to be asleep in the sun when two off-duty doctors noticed he was an odd colour.

They couldn't get a response from him so started resuscitation but he was later declared dead at the scene.

Friends say the father-of-two, who had a string of successful companies in Brighton, was in debt after developing a severe alcohol problem.

Former BBC colleague Ed Mitchell said: “He was a great achiever and had a highly paid job on the commercial side of the BBC. He was very successful but it's true to say alcohol got a grip on him.

“People pointed this out but he couldn't acknowledge it.

“He went from being someone who wore the best tailored suits to someone heading off to the beach with a rucksack looking like a typical street drinker. It was tragic.”

Mr Dimick lived in a flat in York Villas in Hove but had not been seen by friends in the hours before his death on July 2.

It is believed he may have been sleeping rough on the beach.

Friend Bernard Tines said: “We had been out for dinner on Thursday evening.

“He really did have it all but then lost it all when alcoholism took over.

“His wife and children moved away and he was homeless for a period of time.

“It's a very sad case because he was a very intelligent, well spoken man who did very well in his life but had it destroyed by drink.”

Mr Mitchell, 57, a former £100,000-a-year newsreader, was discovered sleeping rough on Brighton beach in 2007.

His marriage had broken down and he had lost his home as a result of alcoholism. He is now recovering and does not drink.

He said: “John was five years younger than me. His death is a tragic example of those that achieve the most, falling the furthest when they succumb to the evil grip of alcohol.

“It should be a message to all those that have given up alcohol to keep giving up, and all those that feel they are on the slippery slope to have the courage to get help.”

It's believed Mr Dimick died of organ failure associated with alcohol abuse.