Tonight's Granada Reports left host Lucy Meacock in tears as she presented a heartbreaking tribute to "true gentleman" and "on-screen legend" Tony Morris.

Hosted by his long-standing colleague the show featured friends, colleagues, and montages of Tony's past work to showcase the highlights from his turbulent life.

The 57-year-old, who lived in Ramsbottom, died at Bury Hospice on Saturday after being diagnosed with kidney cancer last year.

Ms Meacock started the show by describing her dear friend and his work, before saying she was lucky to have been given the chance to work with him.

She said: "He could be so many things, serious on breaking news, and seriously funny. 

"He put politicians in their place and parents at ease to talk about their loss. 

"He was more than happy to be the person who inspired the next generation, and he always had respect for everyone he interviewed – but he never shied away from a direct question.

"All of this is a world away from the quite unassuming man who arrived in our studio 17 years ago."

Some of his work included pressing Tony Blair and David Cameron for difficult answers during their times as Prime Minister, although a highlight of his career came when he was able to interview Lionel Richie.

Despite his renowned career, Tony was most proud of his daughters, Becky and Natalie, with a picture of the pair of them proudly displayed on his desk at work. 

He also put his work above any award – when he was named North West Broadcaster of the Year, he missed the awards ceremony to present the late night news bulletin.

Originally from Portsmouth, Tony spent most of his life in the care system, adopted by a woman named Audrey when he was just six months old.

At aged 16, he joined the RAF, and credits his time in service, and being the only black kid on his estate, as major factors that shaped his life.

He went on to join BBC Northwest Tonight as a reporter for the flagship programme based in Manchester, later going on to present shorter bulletins, usually weekend bulletins and the regional bulletin following the BBC News at Ten.

For a brief period in his latter years with the BBC he worked as a reporter for the national news being based in London.

In 2003, Tony joined ITV Granada as the new male co-anchor alongside Lucy Meacock following the departures of Antony Wilson and So Rahman.

He helped Granada Reports become the first regional news programme to win a BAFTA, going on to win two of the prestigious awards, and numerous accolades from the Royal Television Society for his work on stories such as the Morecambe Bay Cockle Picking tragedy, the Manchester Arena bombing, the murder of Anthony Walker, and the murder of PCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone.

Prior to being a television journalist and news presenter, Morris, who was born in Hampshire, worked as a DJ and served in the RAF.

Clips from his past shows, including an interview with Peter Kay in drag, and tributes from Bolton's Paddy McGuinness and Badly Drawn Boy were featured in the touching programme.