An award-winning ITV journalist has died, aged 46, after battling cancer.

Gary Burgess, 46, passed away at Jersey Hospice on New Year's Day after being diagnosed with terminal cancer in November 2020, the broadcaster has announced.

He had beaten testicular cancer back in 1999, but sadly relapsed in 2014, 2016 and finally 2019 with the disease spreading to his lungs.

Gary, who was awarded the rarely-presented prestigious Silver Seal, recognising his contribution to journalism over a number of years, leaves behind his husband Alan.

He began his career in the industry as a teaboy at Radio Wave in Blackpool in 1992.

In a final message, written for release after his death, Gary wrote: "I've had the best life. I've had the luckiest life. I met my soul mate and the love of my life who went on to become my husband.

"I got to work with some of the most amazing people in newsrooms and studios doing the job I absolutely adore. And I've been able to share my own relatively short time on this planet surrounded by friends and loved ones who have enriched my life in ways they may never truly understand.

"My greatest sadness is the prospect of leaving all of that and all of them behind. The thought of doing that to Alan is unfathomable to process, but I also know the very people who've shown me love and support will now wrap up those feelings around him in the coming days.

"It's time for me to hand over my microphone and keyboard for others to do the talking about me, so let my final words simply be 'thank you'. Every person in my life has, in their own way, helped me live my best life. That'll do."

Gary landed his first job as a teaboy at Radio Wave in Blackpool in 1992 at just 17 years old and left the station nine years later after working as a newsreader, breakfast show presenter and programme controller.

He then went on to manage radio stations across the UK before moving to ITV Channel TV in 2011 where he continued to work before his retirement in August 2021, nine months after his terminal diagnosis.

As well as being awarded the Silver Seal, Gary was also named Community Champion of the Year at the Jersey Evening Post's Pride of Jersey Awards.

Tributes for the beloved journalist have flooded in from colleagues.