‘Gerry was a free spirit who liberatedBBC Radio Ulster’

The unionist leader expressed sadness at news that the Londonderry broadcaster, who had been battling illness for some time, had passed away.

Mr Nesbitt said: “Gerry was an unchained and irrepressible spirit who liberated BBC Radio Ulster at a time when local broadcasting was dominated by rules.

“Gerry couldn’t spell ‘rules’ and he helped free up all of us who were presenters on Radio Ulster in the 1980s and beyond.”

The UUP leader also described Mr Anderson as a very generous and encouraging man who had no fear of rival talent.

“I first worked with him at an Ulster Grand Prix when I was a sports presenter and he arrived as a roving reporter in white shoes on a dark, wet Saturday when the paddock was a sea of mud. “He simply did not see what the problem was.

“My condolences to his wife Christine, and broader family. The BBC is a poorer place today,” said Mr Nesbitt.