Tributes have poured in for BAFTA award-winning writer Nick Fisher, who has died.

The 63-year-old scriptwriter and author, from Hooke near Beaminster, worked on well known TV programmes such as Holby City, Casualty, EastEnders and The Giblet Boys – for which he won a BAFTA.

He was a keen fisherman – and was well known on the west Dorset coast – and presented Screaming Reels for Channel 4 in 1993. Mr Fisher worked alongside chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall many times, co-authoring The River Cottage Book of Fish.

Mr Fearnley-Whittingstall, who described Mr Fisher as his ‘very dearest friend’, was among those who shared a police appeal on social media after Mr Fisher went missing last Tuesday.

After searches of the area, a body was discovered by police in Dorchester on Thursday.

Mr Fearnley-Whittingstall tweeted: “He was always full of insight and compassion, which is what made him such a great writer and broadcaster, as well as a brilliant friend.

“His lovely family and his many friends are missing him terribly.

“Nick was the best person to spend time with, especially on a boat.”

Dorset residents and colleagues shared their memories of Mr Fisher.

Tom Marley, from the Angling Centre West Bay, said: “He was a really kind, nice guy, lovely to be around.

“During the summer months he used to come in a couple of times a week, so we saw him a lot.

“Everyone knew his background from TV, he was very well known and very well loved around the bay, he would always come in to the shop and everyone wanted to talk to him.

“He will be missed.”

Rene Gerryts, a former Bridport News reporter, interviewed Nick on several occasions and remembers him as ‘really charming, warm and self-deprecating’.

“He was a really funny guy and he was always happy to have a chat,” she said.

Jon Sen, filmmaker and an executive producer for the BBC, said: “My thoughts are with Nick Fisher’s family.

“I will never forget romping around the Dorset countryside with him and my kids still talk about the fishing trip where I spilled my guts...A kind, supportive, generous soul who always made time for you. Rest well my friend X.”