BBC Sport Tees has tonight paid tribute to a well-known football fan and radio contributor after he sadly passed away today.

The BBC have paid tribute to John Brookes, a well-known football fan who was a regular contributor to match day shows on the network.

He was described by the BBC as a "lifelong Middlesbrough fan and regular BBC Radio Tees contributor."

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Journalist Paul Addison broke the news on air to listeners this evening (August 25) with the moment now posted on the BBC Sport Tees Twitter account.

Paul said: "A man who took part in many of our programmes here on BBC Tees Sport and BBC Radio Tees in general, a massive Middlesbrough fan, has died after an illness.

"John was one of the first people on our fan panel when we started it, coming in and talking about Middlesbrough which was the team he had followed for years."

He added: "He was honest, he always had a glass-half-full attitude but he wasn't afraid to give his opinion on his team when things weren't going well.

"He was mischievous, he had a brilliant sense of humour and loved having a crack on with other fans in the studio."

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Fellow Middlesbrough fans flocked to the comments to pay tribute to John, who was known across the club for his contributions to football punditry.

One said they were "truly saddened" to hear the news, and called him a "kind-hearted and beautiful soul".

Another said he "used to enjoy his take" on Middlesbrough matches and his thoughts on developments from the club.