Veteran BBC broadcaster John Peel has died while on holiday in Peru.
Peel was on a working holiday with his wife Sheila when he suffered a heart attack last night.
The legendary presenter's radio career spanned 40 years and he was responsible for discovering many new bands during his years on air.
BBC Radio 1 controller Andy Parfitt paid tribute, saying that Peel's influence "towered over the development of popular music for nearly four decades and his contribution to modern music and music culture is immeasurable."
"His commitment and passion for new music only grew stronger over the years," Parfitt added.
"In fact, when I last saw him he was engaged in a lively debate with his fellow DJs over the state of new music today. He will be hugely missed."
In 1993 he won the Sony Award for Broadcaster of the Year and in 1998 he received an OBE.
