Tributes have been paid to the former BBC NI journalist and author Stephen Walker following his death at the age of 61 on Sunday.
Mr Walker, who was born in England but was brought up in Ballymena, was a well-known voice and face to many across his three-decade long career at BBC Northern Ireland..
Announcing his death on social media, friend and host of BBC NI’s The View, Mark Carruthers, said: “So sorry to be the bearer of such bad news, but the Walker family – Katrin, Grace, ack and Gabriel – have asked me to let people know that Stephen passed away at home this morning surrounded by people he loved and who loved him.
“He was a wonderful husband, father, brother and son, a fine journalist and author, and the very best of friends.
“We are all heartbroken, but grateful for his life so well and fully lived.”
Mr Walker was also an acclaimed author
Mr Walker joined BBC Northern Ireland in 1991 and began working as a news reporter for Radio Ulster, before venturing into TV reporting in 1993.
During his time at the broadcaster, he held a variety of roles, including London correspondent, political reporter and later political correspondent.
While working as a journalist, he published his first book in 2007, which covered the story of 28 Irish soldiers who were executed by the British Army during the First World War.
His five published works also included acclaimed biographies on both John Hume and David Trimble.
Among those paying tribute to Mr Walker on Sunday were Alliance leader Naomi Long, who said that she was “so very sorry” to learn of his death, and that he will be “sorely missed”.
“Stephen was such a talented journalist and a real gentleman. Thoughts with his family, friends and former colleagues,” she said.
Former UUP leader and UTV journalist Mike Nesbitt said that he was “saddened to the core” to hear of his passing.
“Stephen was a gent, who had a lot more to give, to his family and society,” he added.
SDLP leader Claire Hanna MP said that Mr Walker was “an outstanding journalist and writer who chronicled some of the most significant chapters in our recent history with intelligence, curiosity and great humanity”.
“He brought warmth and good humour to his work and to those around him, and his contribution to how we understand and tell the story of this place will endure for years to come,” she said.
“My deepest sympathies are with his family and friends, and with his many colleagues at the BBC and across journalism.”
DUP leader Gavin Robinson MP said that Mr Walker was a “highly respected journalist and gifted author whose work helped audiences understand Northern Ireland’s politics through some of its most momentous decades”.
“He had a genuine interest in people and this was reflected in the time he spent building relationships when he worked as the Westminster correspondent for BBC NI.
“Personally, we were in regular contact through the good times and the bad.
“I was as privileged to join him and his family for the launch of his biography on David Trimble as I was for more private and reflective conversations during his ill-health.
“Only two weeks ago, we were in touch; recognising his health was low but still with a sense of hope.”