Sir Bill oversaw some of the BBC's most popular TV shows in the 1970s, including Monty Python's Flying Circus and Morecambe and Wise.

It is understood he died in a Bournemouth hospital.

David Croft, writer of Dad's Army, paid tribute to Sir Bill, who retired in 1987, as the "master jeweller" in the "golden age" of television.

Sir Bill was the BBC's head of light entertainment between 1970 and 1977 and was also in charge of BBC One for four years.

He also served as the BBC's managing director of television and was awarded the Academy Fellowship by Bafta in 1998.

Speaking in 2000, Sir Bill said light entertainment on television formed part of the nation's culture.

"Basically, fundamentally, television was a performer's medium and news and current affairs were the sideshow.

"One of the reasons that I honestly believe that the care taken on light entertainment had to be the same care as was taken for ballet, or opera, or serious drama, is because you are contributing to the culture of the country. I think it's sad if it isn't."

Unique talent

Entertainer Bruce Forsyth said Sir Bill was "a very dear friend".

Mr Forsyth said: "It's a very sad day to lose him. He knew about the business. He knew about television.

"He was responsible for what I think was the golden age of BBC television which we'll never have again.

"He knew what the public wanted, and he gave the public what they wanted.

He knew how to treat performers. He knew how to talk to them, how to get them to do things even if they didn't want to. He talked them into it because he knew it would be good for them."

Mr Croft said there had been opposition to creating his comedy show about the Home Guard during World War II because of fears it would cause offence.

"Without him I don't think the show would have gone on. He undoubtedly had a nose for a hit," Mr Croft said.

"He was a wonderful showman and a great believer in his producers and he backed us absolutely to the hilt.

"He was an entrepreneur, he was a showman, and there's not many of his type about any more, I'm afraid. We shall miss him terribly. I loved him."

BBC