Former regional press journalist and TV researcher Mike Gowers has died aged 79.

Mike started his journalism career with the Eastern Daily Press, in Norwich, before becoming assistant editor with Reading Chronicle.

His other jobs included writing for the TV Times, the Daily Mail and the NME as well as contributing to the Films and Filming.

He also worked on the Frost Report and Dave Allen shows, became editor of a medical magazine and ran staff publications for Barclays Bank.

Mike was born in New South Wales and did national service with the Royal Navy.

He also sat on Magistrates bench and volunteered to read for a talking newspaper.

Mike leaves his wife Anne and two sons – one of who is former Financial Times editor Andrew Gowers.