Award-winning sports journalist and broadcaster Mike Gibson has died aged 75.

Gibson, who started in print journalism as a newspaper and magazine writer, became known nationally when he was chosen to co-anchor Channel Nine’s new Wide World of Sports program with Ian Chappell in 1981.

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He was a presenter on the show – as well as Sports Sunday – until 1988, before leaving for Channel 10, where he presented Olympics coverage in Seoul.

He later moved to Fox Sports, where he presented 720 episodes of the sports show the Back Page from 1997 to 2012.

A number of colleagues took to Twitter to express their condolences.

RIP Mike Gibson. Shocked. Great newspaper columnist, mate, poker night confrere, radio/TV host. Good bloke.

— Derryn Hinch (@HumanHeadline) September 23, 2015

Sorry to hear of the death of Mike Gibson. He was the Aussie “Everyman”. Every show was like a good-natured chat over the barbie.

— Hugh Riminton (@hughriminton) September 23, 2015

Very sad to hear of the passing of Mike Gibson. A truly wonderful writer and storyteller and a source of huge encouragement to young 1/2 — Ray Gatt (@Gatty54) September 23, 2015

Thanks Mike Gibson for all those years of quality journalism, particularly with Channel 9s Wide World of Sports. RIP. pic.twitter.com/9RF782Pgfd — Andrew Nikolic (@andrewnikolic) September 23, 2015

More to come.