Ashley Heath came to Swindon from Runcorn in the early 1990s to produce and present news, sport and feature programmes on TV channel Swindon Cable, then continued to work there until it closed in 2000.

He went on to become a big part of BBC Wiltshire’s radio broadcasts and proved adept at adapting to any situation.

During a 15-year stint at the station, he covered sombre Remembrance Day ceremonies, reported on royal visits, and interviewed his idol Peter Gabriel.

In his spare time, he appeared in many productions with the Old Town Theatre company, which is how he met his wife Nancy.

Near the end of his career, Ashley bravely battled a brain tumour for years, even allowing doctors to film his surgery for a video which is now used to reassure other patients going through the same treatment, and still came to work until ill health forced him to retire.

Ashley died in Prospect Hospice on Monday evening at the age of 55, with Nancy by his side.

Swindon Cable programming manager Paul Langcaster recruited Ashley to the channel and often appeared on-screen alongside him.

He said: “Ash joined the small team in Swindon because he showed enormous enthusiasm in getting the job done.

“He adopted Swindon as his hometown and moved his elderly mother down too. He was interested in every aspect of local life and made many friends easily.

“Everyone says he was easy to get on with and such an approachable personality. We remained friends since we first met and he and Nancy only lived a few streets away.

“I will treasure many of the great memories we made working as part of a team. Reporting on a royal visit, like the day the Queen came to town, interviewing celebrities like Jeremy Irons, or pop stars of the day like Carole Decker of T’Pau, Ash did it all with just the right level of personal excitement and professional decorum.

“It has been both touching, gratifying and emotional to read all the comments on social media as people share their wonderful memories of my friend Ash.”

Tributes from friends, former colleagues and notable figures from the county poured in following the news of Ashley’s death.

Swindon Borough Council leader David Renard said: “So sorry to hear this news. A lovely man, always professional. Will be sadly missed. Taken too soon.”

Former council leader Rod Bluh said: “He was always such a nice person, a caring person and you didn’t have to know him well to know he was one of the good guys.

“My condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.”

Great Western Hospital trust chief executive Kevin McNamara said: “I’ve been interviewed quite a few times by Ashley. He was a a kind and true professional, always willing to listen as much as he was to challenge.”

Swindon 105.5 presenter Dave Woods said: “Ashley was a lovely person, always had time for everyone. Fond memories of working with him and was very courageous dealing with his illness.”

Marc Sutton said: “A genuinely nice man was Ashley. I first met him years ago when he worked at Swindon Veiwpoint. A sad loss to Swindon.”

BBC reporters and presenters expressed their sadness about the loss of a beloved colleague.

BBC News and BBC Breakfast reporter Jon Kay said: “Ashley was a really lovely and very talented chap.”

BBC Points West presenter Ali Vowles said: “Such a lovely man - so brave and so positive.”

Claire Hawke of BBC Spotlight said: “This is terribly sad. I always remember Ashley for being an amazing all-round reporter.

“We had some training together and it was clear how much he just shone in front of the camera. He was so lovely to everybody, a genuinely nice guy.”

BBC Wiltshire presenter Will Walder said: “He was always supportive, always had positive words of advice and gentle encouragement and it was an absolute joy to hear him when you made him laugh.”

On-air, colleagues Marie Lennon and Dan O’Brien shared their memories of him and played clips from his career.

Marie said: “He was a man like noone else - endlessly curious, intelligent, so much of a gentleman that it sometimes felt like he was from a different era, and wickedly funny.

“He loved people and it’s why he was such a good journalist. He could put anyone at ease in an interview.

“He led so many of our Remembrance programmes an he was the perfect person to bring that act to life because he had an intricate understanding and respect for Wiltshire’s armed forces communities and the ability to connect with anyone and how they felt.

“His approach was to learn everything possible about [his brain tumour] and charm every nurse and doctor he met.”

Dan said: “Ash understood that to be a good journalist, you have to genuinely care about the community you serve.

“He was a mentor as well as a really good friend to people right across the industry. His wife Nancy was his best friend and, in the last few years, his amazing carer.

“He could sculpt beautiful language and descriptions off the cuff just by being in the moment.”

Read More: Wife Nancy remembers Ashley and reveals how people can pay their respects on day of his funeral

The BBC News report of Ashley’s brain surgery in 2016, where he allowed a camera crew to film the operation and interview him when he returned to work a few days later, can be seen here: https://fb.watch/3jPRT4QDLB/