Sports journalist dies of cancer

The 63-year-old was also a well-known face on television, hosting Sky Sports’ Sunday Supplement from 2007 after previously being the presenter of Hold the Back Page from 1994.

Woolnough began his career on The Esher News in Surrey, moved to the Evening Post in Hemel Hempstead before joining The Sun, where he worked for 27 years, ending up as chief football writer. He moved to the Daily Star in 2001.

Woolnough leaves a wife, Linda, and three children.

Daily Star editor Dawn Neesom said: “Brian will be missed by everyone at the Daily Star. He was a brilliant sports writer, a huge character and above all a really nice bloke.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Linda, and family.”