Journalist Brian Gibson, who combined a life of writing with his love of music, film and theatre, has died at 65.

Mr Gibson was the main advertising and feature writer of The Argus Property until his retirement in May last year.

It was his final full-time job in a career which saw him mix with pop, theatre and film stars and gain friendship and respect everywhere he worked.

He died of heart failure at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, yesterday after being treated for throat cancer which was diagnosed in November.

He had been looking forward to retirement at his Worthing home with his partner Pam.

One of his closest friends was actor Chris Ellison, star of TV's The Bill.

Chris said: "He was a such a wit, who lived such an interesting life."

Mr Gibson also made many friends in the Sussex property world.

Glenn Mishon of Mishon Mackay estate agents said: "This is a great shock to those in the Sussex property world who got to know Brian."

Phil Graves of Graves Jenkins said: "He was a chirpy character who displayed a great knowledge of the Sussex property scene in his writing."

Mr Gibson joined The Leader as a freelance reporter in 1987 and moved on to The Argus as a full-time writer two years later.

He wrote many showbusiness features and a weekly eating out promotion in The Leader.

Mr Gibson's career as a journalist started in Fleet Street in 1952 as an office boy at the Evening Star and News Chronicle.

He became a reporter at the London Bureau of Frank Packer's, the father of Australian media magnate Kerry, where he had his own column.

He became the chief Press officer at Decca Records in the Sixties, promoting The Rolling Stones and The Moody Blues.

He then became group Press officer of Pye Records, responsible for looking after the PR for Max Bygraves, Des O'Connor and the late pianist Russ Conway, who also moved to Sussex and remained a close friend.

Mr Gibson later worked for Georgie Fame, Tamla Motown Records and many small record labels before joining The Argus.