Mike Smith: Jeremy Clarkson and Philip Schofield pay tribute to former DJ and TV presenter after sudden death aged 59

Smith became a household name during his six years at Radio 1, taking the prime slot as presenter of the Breakfast Show in 1986.

His boyish good looks were a familiar sight for viewers of Top of The Pops, which he presented, and as host of the BBC’s Live Aid coverage.

Smith died in hospital after complications following recent major heart surgery. In a statement released through Smith's aerial filming company Flying TV, his wife and fellow television presenter Sarah Greene offered "enormous thanks to the staff at the hospital for their care and compassion" and asked that family and friends be allowed to mourn in peace

Tributes from former radio colleagues Mike Read and Simon Mayo were among the first to be paid.

Smith’s Breakfast Show predecessor DJ Mike Read described him as “affable” and “business-like”, adding:  “The news is just devastating… it's a real loss and has come as quite a shock.”

Radio presenter Simon Mayo posted on Twitter that Smith “was the guy who had it all”, describing his breakfast show as a “shiny, sparkly thing, a must-listen”.

When we joined Radio 1 in 86, he was the guy who had it all. His breakfast show was a shiny, sparkly thing, a must-listen.

— Simon Mayo (@simonmayo) August 2, 2014

Noel Edmonds, who worked with Smith on the Late, Late, Breakfast Show, said in a statement that he was “so much more than simply a presenter”, the BBC reported.

“Mike was that rare individual - the consummate broadcaster in an era when professionalism, dedication and hard work were truly valued,” he said.

“I am typing this through the tears. I wish I had told him more forcefully and frequently how much I admired his talent and valued his support.”

Tributes poured in online from the world of entertainment including Philip Schofield, Jeremy Clarkson, Phil Daniels and Jake Humphrey.

“There are no words. My wonderful, bright, funny, thoughtful friend Mike Smith has passed away,” tweeted ITV’s This Morning presenter Philip Schofield who worked with Smith on children’s show Going Live with Greene.

There are no words. My wonderful, bright, funny, thoughtful friend Mike Smith has passed away @RealSarahGreene I'm so so sorry my darling x

— Phillip Schofield (@Schofe) August 2, 2014

Not only was Smith a successful broadcaster, he was also a keen motorsports enthusiast, reported the Daily Mail.

A qualified helicopter pilot, Smith suffered a broken back and ankle when a helicopter he was piloting crashed in Gloucestershire in 1988.

His wife Greene broke bother her legs and an arm in the incident, with the pair getting engaged just weeks later and marrying the following year.

Top Gear presenter Clarkson also said on Twitter: “Very sad about Mike Smith. He did all our helicopter filming on Top Gear and was a lovely, genuine man.”

Very sad about Mike Smith. He did all our helicopter filming on Top Gear and was a lovely, genuine man. Big love to Sarah.

— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) August 2, 2014

A BBC spokesman said: “We are saddened to hear of Mike’s passing. He was a talented presenter and a brilliant Radio 1 Breakfast Show host and our thoughts are with his family.”