Tributes from political friends and foes alike poured in from around the world last night after the death of Sir Denis Thatcher.

Margaret Thatcher's devoted and protective consort died peacefully in a London hospital yesterday with his family at his bedside. He was 88.

Sir Denis, who was a shrewd businessman and a millionaire in his own right before his wife even dreamed of becoming Prime Minister, was content to take a back seat once she reached Downing Street.

But wherever she travelled on official business, Sir Denis was always two paces behind, ever watchful for potential troublemakers.

He never tried to upstage her and his discretion was a byword.

His death came after a short illness. Last January, he underwent a heart bypass operation and appeared to have made a full recovery.

Sir Denis was looked upon by those who did not know him as something of a buffoon. But that was far from the truth, and he was highly successful in the boardroom.

He was renowned for enjoying "a tincture" of gin and tonic.

Sir Denis and his long-term friend and golfing companion, Lord Deedes, were the subject of the famous Private Eye Dear Bill letters, which amused him greatly.

Leading the tributes yesterday were Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith and his wife Betsy who said: "In a world that so often seems to have lost its manners, Denis Thatcher represented so much of what was best in the wartime generation."

Prime Minister Tony Blair sent his "deepest sympathy" to Lady Thatcher.