“I remember when we first co-presented the breakfast show on Magic FM, he turned to me and said: 'Well, Mr Price. This is going to be interesting.'

“He was without doubt one of the nicest men you could meet in the industry. He was a magical man and his death is so unexpected.”

Mr Easton's pioneering show The Great Easton Express ran for 12 years and won him a legion of loyal fans.

He worked for a number of southern radio stations before returning to Liverpool and fronting the Magic FM breakfast show.

Phil lived in Crosby and leaves his wife Fran, two sons, Dan and Ben, and a daughter, Zoe.

Richard Maddock, station director for Radio City, Magic and City Talk, said: “We are deeply saddened to hear this tragic news.

“Phil was an astounding broadcaster and friend to everyone here at Radio City, Magic and City Talk. Our thoughts are with his family at this terrible time.”

Mr Easton was well-known for his involvement at Anfield, where he was the matchday announcer for Liverpool FC, and his voice was instantly recognisable to thousands of Reds fans.

Today, the club said it would discuss ways to potentially marking his death in the near future.

Spokesman Ian Cotton said: “All of us at the club are shocked and deeply saddened.

“Phil was at the Chelsea game the night before when we were all talking to him.

“He was an intelligent and humorous man who was always great company. He will be sadly missed.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time. Phil was part of the matchday routine at Anfield and he was well respected.

“When I was rung and told about his death last night, I just couldn’t believe it.”