Raymond Baxter, the first host of Tomorrow’s World, has died aged 84.

During his 12 years working on the pioneering science programme Baxter showed the nation the first ever television pictures live from America and of Concorde flying.

Former colleagues have paid tribute to the presenter, who passed away at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading after. According to his family, Baxter had been working until the day before he was admitted.

Saul Nasse, a former editor of the show, said: “Watching Raymond in the 1970s was what got me, and tens of thousands of children, interested in science. It was an honour to know him.”

Baxter's main stint on the show was from from 1965, but her returned for anniversary episodes with hosts including Maggie Philbin and Philippa Forrester. Philbin this week recalled: “He was an absolute gentlemen with immense charm and absolutely passionate about technology.

“The era that he worked on Tomorrow’s World was the time that technology was ‘white hot’. Raymond showed us the very first hovercraft and went on the very first flight of Concorde.”