BBC radio presenter Ali Brownlee dies three months after he was diagnosed with bowel cancer

BBC praised Brownlee as 'a Middlesbrough legend and a lovely man'

Ali Brownlee was a 'Middlesborough legend' (BBC)

A BBC presenter has died less than three months after he was diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Ali Brownlee, a radio presenter on BBC Tees and a commentator for Middlesbrough FC, passed away on Sunday evening surrounded by his family.

His death was confirmed by BBC Tees in a Facebook post, who wrote: “We are so very sorry to tell you that our friend, presenter and Voice of the Boro Ali Brownlee has died, aged 56.

“Ali was a Middlesbrough legend, a lovely man and he will be sorely missed by all his friends and colleagues at BBC Tees."

Brownlee was diagnosed with cancer in November but was tweeting about sport as late as December.

Fellow BBC Tees presenter Neil Green said his colleagues are “heartbroken” by his passing. “Away from the microphone, Ali was such a warm, generous and kind man who genuinely cared for his work colleagues.”

Dan Thorpe, Managing Editor of BBC Tees, said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with Ali’s wife and family. Ali has been an integral part of the BBC Tees family for many years and was hugely popular with our listeners.

"He was a Middlesbrough legend and a lovely man. He will be very sorely missed by all his friends and colleagues at BBC Tees, as well of course by our audience who loved him so much. Ali's family ask you to respect their privacy at this difficult time.”