A FORMER television sports broadcaster and journalist from Cookley has died at the age of 68.

Sports reporter and commentator Steve Lee covered football and cricket for Sky and BBC Midlands for more than 30 years.

During his career, Steve covered the 1998 World Cup for BBC TV Sport and worked regularly on Match of the Day and Football Focus. He also worked for Channel 4 and 5.

In his later years, Steve worked on a freelance basis for Sky Sports and other media outlets.

The Shuttle previously reported how Steve achieved a degree in history at the age of 65, graduating from the Open University 47 years after he first started a degree at Reading University in 1970.

Speaking to this newspaper in 2017, Steve described himself as "like a lot of old journalists", saying: "Once [journalism] is in your blood, it stays there."

He was a father-of-three and a grandfather.

The news of his death was confirmed on Monday evening by his daughter Rebecca on Facebook, who said: "It is with the heaviest heart that I share that we lost our lovely Dad, Steve Lee, very suddenly on Sunday.

"We are coming to terms with the news and will share details of the funeral when we are able to. Love you Dad."

Tributes have been paid to Lee on social media from several news outlets that employed him over the years.

BBC Midlands Today posted on Twitter: "It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of our former sports presenter Steve Lee at the age of 68. A superb broadcaster who will be sadly missed."

Kidderminster Harriers Football Club wrote: "Condolences from all at Aggborough to the friends and family of Steve Lee, who has sadly passed away.

"Steve was a regular at Harriers early in his career and returned regularly to cover significant stories in later years. RIP."