Tributes have been paid to television producer Richard Hopkins, whose credits included Strictly Come Dancing, The Big Breakfast and Big Brother, who has died aged 47.

Hopkins, who was co-founder and joint managing director of independent production company Fever, was described as "one of the greatest producers of his generation".

As a senior entertainment executive at the BBC, Hopkins developed, pitched and went on to produce BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing, before working on its US equivalent, Dancing with the Stars.

Hopkins left the BBC in 2006 to launch Fever Media with another former senior BBC producer, David Mortimer.

Hopkins, who died on Saturday, had been diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Mortimer said: "Television is by its nature an ephemeral business, so very few of us can hope to have any lasting legacy. 

"Richard was a glorious exception to this rule, and as one of the greatest producers of his generation he quite literally got the world dancing. 

"I was privileged to be both his business partner and friend and my heart goes out to his wife Katy and his three beautiful girls, Angelica, Joséphine and Julianna."

Hopkins was series producer on the first series of Channel 4's Big Brother and worked as executive producer of Fame Academy, the Big Breakfast and Fear Factor.

He was also series producer on Channel 4's comedy series, The 11 O'Clock Show.

The BBC's creative director, Alan Yentob, said: "Richard was a considerable talent and a charmer with a real flair for entertainment shows and understanding of what our audience appreciate. He will be much missed by friends and colleagues at the BBC and across the industry.'

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