It’ll Be Alright On The Night host Denis Norden dies aged 96

TV presenter and comedy writer Denis Norden has died aged 96, his family said.

The It'll Be Alright On The Night host died on Wednesday morning after spending "many weeks" at the Royal Free Hospital in north London, a statement from his children, Nick and Maggie Norden, issued to the Press Association said.

It added: "We'd like to say a huge thank you to all the dedicated staff and doctors who have looked after him – with much devotion.

"A wonderful dad, a loving grandfather and great great-grandfather – he gave his laughter mongering to so many.

"He will be in our hearts forever."

Norden presented the ITV bloopers show for 29 years until his retirement in 2006.

After stepping down he gave a lot of attention to raising awareness of macular disease, a degenerative eye condition from which he suffered, and became a patron of the Macular Society.

Born in Hackney, east London, in February 1922, he trained as a manager for the Hyams brothers, owners of impressive London picture palaces.

He served in the RAF in the Second World War with such other future famous names as Eric Sykes and Bill Fraser, and wrote shows to entertain the troops – and get off guard duty.