Award-winning writer Andrew Longmore dies aged 65

Andrew Longmore, the journalist and author whose books include a biography of Kieren Fallon and Best Mate: My Story in conjunction with trainer Henrietta Knight, has died suddenly at the age of 65.

Learning of the news, Knight said: "This is a sad loss of a very good friend. Andrew was the reason I wrote my book about Best Mate and he was very encouraging. We spent a great deal of time together. He had a wonderful sense of humour and was very kind and generous.

"At the races he stood out in the crowd as he was so tall and had a mop of curly hair. My husband Terry [Biddlecombe] always used to call him Curly, and he would answer to it. He was also a great cook and would send us Christmas puddings every year.

"He wrote so well on so many different sports and I shall miss him hugely. My thoughts are with his wife Jane and his family."

Longmore was a former chief sportswriter of The Independent on Sunday and for many years senior sportswriter of The Sunday Times. He was named sports feature writer of the year in the Sports Journalists' Association awards in 2003.

Recently retired from The Sunday Times, Longmore died peacefully in his sleep during a family walking holiday on the Cote d'Azur. He leaves wife Jane and three children, Anna, Jessica and David.

There will be a private family funeral. A memorial service will take place later in the year.