Sir David Frost dies aged 74

BBC director-general Tony Hall has described the death of Sir David Frost as "amazingly sad."

"David was one of the most influential people in broadcasting," he said today.

"When you look at David you realise what a huge figure he is for the BBC, for broadcasting around the world."

Broadcaster, journalist and novelist Joan Bakewell said the news of David Frost's death had come as a "huge shock" but said he would be remembered for his huge talent, for changing the face of television and for his trademark ability to deliver the killer question.

Read: Sir David Frost dies aged 74

John Cleese, whose career was arguably launched on Sir David's programme The Frost Report, said: "I was very, very sad to hear of David's death. I had known him for 52 years and I was extraordinarily fond of him.

"He was always fun and kind and interesting and I never heard him make a mean comment about anyone.

"I owe a great deal of my professional career to David and I am very grateful for what he did for me. Life is going to feel rather diminished by the loss of his welcoming, cheery and optimistic voice."

Read: Sir David Frost dies aged 74

Michael Sheen, the actor who played Sir David Frost on stage and in the 2006 film Frost/Nixon, has paid tribute to the broadcaster's "extraordinary tenacity."

"People talked about the rapport he had with people and how genuinely nice he was," Sheen said. "And of course people underestimated him because of that."

"He made you feel so appreciated and like he was genuinely so glad to see you."

Tony Blair has fondly recalled interviews with the revered journalist Sir David Frost and described news of his death as "very sad".

"Sir David Frost was a huge figure in broadcasting," he said.

"He had an extraordinary ability to draw out the interviewee, knew exactly where the real story lay and how to get at it, and was also a thoroughly kind and good natured man.

"Being interviewed by him was always a pleasure but also you knew that there would be multiple stories the next day arising from it. David was a great professional and a good friend. My deepest condolences to his lovely wife Carina and family. "

Sir David Frost receiving his honorary degree in Winchester in 2009.

Sir David Frosts' list of interviewees included virtually every US president and British prime minister during his working life and sporting stars, including Muhammad Ali.

During his series of five interviews with Nixon, the notoriously slippery former president known as "Tricky Dicky" dramatically admitted that he had "let down the country".

Watch clips from Frosts' interview with Nixon and Ali:

David Cameron has said Sir David Frost was an "extraordinary" man who made a "huge impact" on television and politics.