Alex Cameron, one of Scotland's leading sports journalists, has died following a long illness.

He passed away, aged 73, at his home in Stirlingshire surrounded by his family.

Alex began his 30-year newspaper career on the now-defunct Stirling Journal before he became sports editor of both the Daily Record and the Scottish Daily Mail.

He also worked for Scottish television's Scotsport as a commentator and match analyst before taking retirement in 2000.

Malcolm Speed, managing editor of the Daily Record and Sunday Mail, said: "Alex Cameron was a much respected sports writer who broke stories in a highly competitive era. We'll sadly miss 'Chiefy' Cameron."

Former chief football writer for the Sunday Mail Alan Herron, said: "You couldn't get a better colleague."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson also paid tribute: "He was nicknamed 'Candid Cameron' because he was always straight to the point. He said what he meant and meant what he said. He was a real star."

Alex, who was a grandfather, also leaves a widow, Jan, and two daughters, Fiona and Debbie.

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