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Tributes from the world of politics and television have been paid to Sir David Frost following the broadcaster's death at the age of 74.
The veteran BBC interviewer died last night on the Queen Elizabeth cruise ship, where he was giving a speech.
Prime Minister David Cameron was quick to send his condolences, saying: "My heart goes out to Carina and the family.
"Sir David was an extraordinary man - with charm, wit, talent, intelligence and warmth in equal measure. He made a huge impact on television and politics.
"The Nixon interviews were among the great broadcast moments - but there were many other brilliant interviews.
"He could be - and certainly was with me - both a friend and a fearsome interviewer."
BBC producer Barney Jones, who edited Breakfast with Frost for more than 10 years, told BBC News: "He brought an enthusiasm to everything he did which was quite extraordinary.
"David loved broadcasting, did it brilliantly for more than 50 years and was eagerly looking forward to a host of projects - including interviewing the Prime Minister next week - before his sudden and tragic death.
"We will all miss him enormously."
Former prime minister Tony Blair referred to Sir David as a "huge figure in broadcasting, a great professional and a good friend".
"He had an extraordinary ability to draw out the interviewee, knew exactly where the real story lay and how to get at it, and was also a thoroughly kind and good natured man," Mr Blair said.
"Being interviewed by him was always a pleasure but also you knew that there would be multiple stories the next day arising from it."
Shadow chancellor Ed Balls tweeted: "Very sorry to hear of the sudden death of Sir David Frost - he was such a friendly man, but also a brilliantly beguiling interviewer".
Speaking to BBC Radio Berkshire, fellow veteran broadcaster Sir Michael Parkinson said: "He was a remarkable man, I was lucky to know him. He was extraordinary and inspired a generation.
"An incredibly talented man, adept at so many things, an all rounder.
"He was part of the cultural opening up of the 1960s, and he broke boundaries.
"Sir David was also an entrepreneur who helped put together the Two Ronnies, and helped the Pythons get together.
"The Nixon interview was a huge gamble, he had to mortgage his house, but one of the best political interviews of all time."
TV presenter Loyd Grossman described Sir David as a "great family man" as he paid tribute to the "irreplaceable" journalist.
"He dominated British broadcasting for fifty years," the presenter told Sky News.
"I remember as a young teenager watching That Was The Week That Was, and just being mesmerised by his talent."
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He also praised the broadcaster's "very serious journalism", adding: "He was almost the most variously talented journalist in British broadcasting history. We have all grown up with him and lived with him. His loss will be immense to all of us.
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"I have to say he was also an incredibly generous broadcaster to work with. I started working with him thirty years ago, in 1983, when I was completely inexperienced. He was always so helpful and kind and encouraging to me and to many others."
He added: "He was always hugely energetic, tremendously enthusiastic, knew exactly what was going on all over the world. He was a master of current events, incredibly incisive analyst and someone who is really irreplaceable. I can't think of any other broadcaster that can step into those very, very big shoes."
TV personality Esther Rantzen said: "I think fellow interviewers have always been awestruck by David Frost's capacity to illicit memorable, sometimes historically significant quotes from all the movers and shakers or our time - presidents, prime ministers, A*list celebrities - but for all of us who had the pleasure of knowing him socially, it is his kindness, generosity, loyalty and humour that we will miss so much.
"His summer party was always the best party of the year. His fund of anecdotes and his constant wit was a joy. In fact, it was always his greeting: 'a joy to meet you' and it was always a joy to meet him."
Actor and comedian Stephen Fry tweeted: "Oh heavens, David Frost dead? No!! I only spoke to him on Friday and he sounded so well. Excited about a house move, full of plans ... how sad."
BBC journalist Andrew Neil said he was "shocked and saddened" by the news, while comedian Rory Bremner described Sir David as "a unique broadcaster, showman, generous and great friend. We'll not see his like again."
Former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "To be interviewed by David Frost was never a chore, even when trying to defend the indefensible.
"But his scrupulous and disarming politeness hid a mind like a vice. David Frost could do you over without you realising it until it was too late. He was a peerless broadcaster."
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said: "Sir David made an extraordinary contribution to current affairs, to journalism and the art of interviewing.
"He is one of the few interviewers to see his work turned into an acclaimed film, with the dramatisation of his seminal interviews with President Nixon. These showed Sir David as a man of outstanding talents who inspired many a young journalist."
He went on: "I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Sir David a number of times, most recently last year, and always found him to be a firm, fair and friendly interviewer.
"My thoughts are with his family and friends."