TV architect Hugh Wallace dies, aged 68

Tributes have been paid to architect and television presenter Hugh Wallace, who has died, aged 68.

The Dublin-based architect was known for presenting property programmes such as Irish broadcaster RTÉ's Home of the Year and The Great House Revival.

In a post on Mr Wallace's Instagram account, his husband Martin Corbett wrote: "It is with deep sadness and shock that I share the news that my beloved husband and soulmate, Hugh Wallace, passed away at home last night. I am heartbroken."

He asked for privacy.

Mr Wallace was a familiar face on house renovations and design show as the only judge to appear in every series of Home of the Year since it first aired in 2015.

In The Great House Revival he followed homeowners as they battle to restore derelict or unloved historical properties.

He was a founding partner of architectural firm Douglas Wallace Consultants.

In a statement on their website said: "It is with deep sadness and shock that we share the news that our beloved Hugh Wallace. We are heartbroken.

"His passion, creativity and warmth touched colleagues, audiences, and friends across the country."

Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin said he was "deeply saddened" to hear of Mr Wallace's passing.

Martin said Mr Wallace's "advocacy for good architecture, coupled with his wonderful communication skills, performed a wonderful public service".

Tánaiste (Irish Deputy Prime Minister) Simon Harris said her was a "character larger than life with a booming voice who made such an important contribution to Irish life by providing entertaining programmes but also in teaching us the importance of restoration and architecture".

Paying tribute, RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst said Wallace's passion for creative design and his advocacy for the wider benefits of good architecture made him "a hugely popular figure with audiences and across the industry".

"On RTÉ's hugely popular Home of the Year, Hugh, with his fellow judges, not only opened the door to the most extraordinary homes in Ireland, but he also inspired viewers to engage with the vast possibilities of innovative design," he said.