FAMILY and friends have paid tribute to Sir Bill Cotton, former managing director of BBC Television - a man who "lit the place up" and made time for everyone.

Sir Bill, who died in a Bournemouth hospital on Monday aged 80, was one of the best-known figures in British television and defined primetime broadcasting for a generation.

Throughout the 1970s he oversaw a golden age of comedy from Monty Python to The Good Life. He brought Morecambe and Wise to the BBC, and played a key role in uniting the Two Ronnies.

His links with Dorset go back to 1935, when his father - the famous bandleader Billy Cotton - had a home in Sandbanks. He moved to Hamworthy 12 years ago, and to Studland four years later.

He became president of the Purbeck Film Festival almost from its conception more than a decade ago.

Tony Viney, festival committee chairman, said: "He was extremely supportive. A really lovely man and very accessible. He did everything he could to help it along."

He was a popular and familiar figure in the village. Friend and neighbour Richard Rose said: "I haven't met anyone who didn't like him. He was very kind and generous. If anyone wanted a figurehead they would go straight to Bill - he knew so many people and he never said no. He will be sorely missed within Studland."

His stepson, Barney Burgess, said he had loved living in the area.

He added: "He was a fabulous combination of being kind and gentle and a big personality - without imposing on others. He really did light the place up. I think he will leave a big hole in the community."

He said his stepfather took "huge pleasure and pride" in the honorary doctorate of arts he received from Bournemouth University in 2000.

Charles Elder, press and public relations manager at the university, said he was a "great supporter" of the university and regularly attended graduation ceremonies and events, taking a particular interest in the media school.

"Everyone who came into contact with him had great affection for him," he added.

Sir Bill had three daughters by his first marriage to Bernadine Sinclair, who died in 1964. His second marriage to Ann Henderson was dissolved and he married Kathryn Burgess in 1990.

He was appointed OBE in 1976, CBE in 1989 and knighted in 2001.

He had one brother Ted, who passed away several years ago.

His daughter Kate has a home in Hamworthy.