Beloved TV and radio host dies in his sleep as tributes flood in

Veteran television and radio host Tim Bowden has died aged 87. The former ABC journalist passed away in his sleep on Sunday (September 1).

After graduating from the University of Tasmania in 1960, Bowden travelled to the UK where he worked as a producer and radio interviewer with the BBC's Pacific Service. He returned to Tasmania three years later and joined ABC, where he stayed for the remainder of lengthy career.

Bowden later became a correspondent in both Asia and North America, detailing major events to Australians that were impacting the region. Upon returning to producing, Bowden became the first ever executive producer of PM, a current affairs program on ABC radio in 1969.

He became part of ABC's Radio Drama and Features Department in 1975 before he turned his attention to documentary making. In the mid-eighties, Bowden went on to set up Radio National's Social History Unit and fronted programmes such as Talking History and That's History.

The veteran broadcaster became best known for hosting Backchat, a TV show which ran from 1986 to 1994 and featured Bowden answering letters from ABC viewers. Not only was he an incredibly talented TV star, Bowden was also an established author who wrote 15 books.

Tributes have begun pouring in for the journalist, with ABC managing director David Anderson penning an emotional message to his late colleague.

He said: "(Tim was) a storyteller whose curiosity for the world around him was valued by so many of our audiences. Tim was part of the generation of ABC journalists who brought those events and their meaning into Australian homes every night."

Others flooded social media to pay tribute to the star. ABC radio host Sabra Lane wrote: "Vale Tim Bowden - ABC Journalist, Foreign correspondent, Backchat host. Also a Tasmanian treasure".

Author Daniel Best said: "Incredibly sad to hear. His book about Neil Davis, 'One Crowded Hour', is a masterpiece. I still revisit it from time to time. Mr Bowden was a rare writer, one who put the story first, and rightly so. May he rest easy, and I'm sure he's sharing a laugh with Neil."

Another fan wrote: "Tim Bowden was a superb journo AND a beautiful human being. Always had time for vets, from any war, any side. Along with Weary, and Neil, Tim was one of those blokes Dad was honoured to call a mate. Someone who'd seen the worst of us, yet still loved the best of us. RIP Tim."

Bowden received an Order of Australia, an honour that recognises outstanding services and achievement by Australian citizens, in 1994 for services to public broadcasting.