Tributes have been paid by several sporting dignitaries after a BBC floor manager from Norfolk died this week. 

Gary Lineker paid tribute to BBC floor manager Mat Wayne, of Crownthorpe, near Wymondham, alongside commentator Guy Mowbray and Dan Walker. 

His death was announced by Lineker during the halftime break of FA Cup final yesterday afternoon. 

Giving an emotional tribute on Match of the Day, he hailed Mr Wayne as a "force of nature". 

Eastern Daily Press: Mat Wayne died earlier this weekMat Wayne died earlier this week (Image: BBC)

His colleague Mat Wayne had more than 25 years of experience working in television and he had the role as a floor manager for broadcasters. 

Over his varied career, Mr Wayne had worked at the Olympics in Beijing, London, Sochi, Rio and Tokyo and FIFA World Cups in Japan, South Africa, Brazil, Russia and Qatar. 

The sports pundit said: "Before we hand back to the second half, everyone at BBC Sport would like to pay tribute to our much-loved friend and colleague Mat Wayne who sadly passed away this week. 

"Mat was a real force of nature a true professional and someone we all enjoyed spending time with. 

"We'll all miss him terribly and send out condolences to his family and his friends of which he had many." 

As the second half began, the screen showed a picture of Mr Wayne and a caption that read "Mat Wayne -  1971 - 2023". 

Commentator Guy Mowbray added: "It will never not seem strange to me not having Mat by my side during commentary. 

"All our thoughts are there with Sarah, Oscar and Anna." 

Mr Wayne revealed in 2021 via social media that he had been treated for cancer.