The TV presenter Terry Nutkins has passed away, at the age of 66, BBC News reports. Nutkins, who was famous for his work on BBC wildlife programmes such as The Really Wild Show and Animal Magic, was being treated for leukaemia when he passed away yesterday (September 6, 2012). He was a much-loved TV presenter, renowned for his evident enthusiasm for his subject matters and, of course, for his “unruly” hairstyle.

Terry Nutkins was born in London in 1946 and as a child, he helped out at London Zoo. Later, he would help the author Gavin Maxwell, caring for otters on the west coast of Scotland. Maxwell became Terry’s legal guardian, in order that he could remain in Scotland and continue to work with the otters. The broadcaster Johnny Morris considered Terry to be a protege of his and in 1999, Nutkins inherited Morris’ house when he died.

Fellow TV personalities Phillip Schofield and Ben Fogle have led the tributes to Terry, upon learning of his death. Schofield, who often worked with Nutkins when he presented childrens’ TV on BBC, posted a message on Twitter to say “So sad to hear of the death of Terry Nutkins. I worked with him often in my 'broom cupboard' days. A delightful man & passionate naturalist.” Ben Fogle, author of the book ‘The Accidental Naturalist,’ also tweeted to say “Very sad to hear the sad passing of Terry Nutkins. He was one of my childhood inspirations.” Terry was father to eight children and during his life, his agent said in a statement, he “fought many causes to make sure animals were looked after, and the environment in general."