News: Bob Holness, Blockbusters host, dies aged 83

Bob Holness, best known as the host of Blockbusters during a broadcasting career spanning almost 60 years, has died aged 83.

Holness, who presented ITV quiz Blockbusters for 11 years from the early 1980s, "died peacefully in his sleep early this morning" according to a statement released by his family on Friday.

Holness, who suffered a number of strokes and has been in a nursing home, leaves his wife Mary, three children and seven grandchildren.

During a long and varied TV and radio broadcasting career, Holness also presented gameshows including Call My Bluff and Raise the Roof and worked for Radio 1, Radio 2, the World Service and LBC.

Holness was born in South Africa but his family moved to the UK when he was a child. He returned to the country of his birth and began his broadcasting career there in the 1950s as a radio presenter. He moved back to the UK in the early 1960s.

"Iconic television host and broadcaster Bob Holness passed away peacefully in his sleep during the early hours of the morning, aged 83, after his health deteriorated following a number of minor strokes over the past few years," his family said.

"Although Bob will be best remembered for being the host of the cult television programme Blockbusters, it should be mentioned Bob was also an accomplished theatre actor and his radio broadcasting career spanned over six decades.

"The famous Pinner resident was beloved by students everywhere for his catchphrase 'I'll have a P, please, Bob'.

"Bob leaves behind a loving wife, three children and seven grandchildren."