BORO commentator and radio host Alastair Brownlee has lost his battle with cancer.

The 56-year-old who became known as "The Voice of the Boro" for his passionate match commentary of his beloved Middlesbrough Football Club, revealed in November that he had been diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Comment: Rest in peace Ali Brownlee – Voice of the Boro and thoroughly nice man

Special tributes earned by a special man

He died pm Sunday night and his colleagues were informed on Monday morning.

Last year, following his diagnosis, he admitted he had been moved to tears by the overwhelming support of Boro fans, who chanted: "Ali Brownlee, he's one of our own" and held a light show with their mobile phones in tribute to him.

Mr Brownlee was in hospital over the Christmas period with an infection and said afterwards on Twitter: "Boro fans, you make everything bearable."

Ali, who was also known for presenting the BBC Radio Tees breakfast show, took time off his breakfast duties and commentating on the Boro so he could undergo treatment, but sadly, he was never to return.

RIP Ali Brownlee.. I was at school with Ali and he was as lovely a lad then as he is now. Sad day — bob mortimer (@RealBobMortimer) February 15, 2016

Dan Thorpe, Managing Editor of BBC Tees, said: "Our thoughts and sympathies are with Ali’s wife and family. Ali has been an integral part of the BBC Tees family for many years and was hugely popular with our listeners.

"He was a Middlesbrough legend and a lovely man. He will be very sorely missed by all his friends and colleagues at BBC Tees, as well of course by our audience who loved him so much. Ali's family ask you to respect their privacy at this difficult time."

In a statement posted on its website, Darlington Football Club has offered its sincere condolences and sympathies to the wife and family of Ali Brownlee.

The statement says Ali helped Darlington FC in many ways, particularly during his commentaries and morning programmes on BBC Tees, and before that during his spell at Century FM.

Darlington manager Martin Gray said: “Ali helped me and Darlington FC enormously over the years. My sympathies go to his family.”

Ray Simpson, Darlington’s media manager, added: “When I commentated on Darlington winning the FA Trophy at Wembley in 2011, Ali was one of the first people who texted me with congratulations.”

We are devastated to hear of the passing of Ali Brownlee. His knowledge, enthusiasm and passion will be missed enormously. #RIP — Hartlepool United FC (@Official_HUFC) February 15, 2016

Ali Brownlee was born on Byelands Street in Middlesbrough, in the shadow of Boro's old ground Ayresome Park, and reported on Middlesbrough for over 30 years, becoming one of the best-known voices on Teesside.

The Northern Echo's editor, Peter Barron, sparred every morning with Ali on “The Headline Challenge” on BBC Tees. Listen to one of those shows below.