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Paul Holmes' producer Phil Armstrong has died after a battle with cancer.
Armstrong produced the Paul Holmes Breakfast Show for 21 years.
Known to many listeners as "Grumpy" or the "Grumpmeister", Armstrong was diagnosed with stomach cancer earlier this year. He died yesterday afternoon.
Armstrong received a standing ovation at last weekend's Radio Awards.
Newstalk ZB said he would be missed tremendously "not only for his intelligence and no-nonsense approach, but also his humour, kindness and warmth".
"He was a keen bake-off contestant, fisherman and crossword enthusiast and above all devoted family man."
Broadcaster and Herald on Sunday columnist Paul Holmes described Armstrong as a "special person".
Holmes visited Armstrong's widow after finishing his Newstalk ZB breakfast show this morning.
Earlier in the show, Holmes, Tony Veitch and Kate Hawkesby paid tribute to the man.
Holmes said Armstrong had a great sense of humour.
"I walked in when he was lining someone up. I heard him say, to someone not unlike a prime minister, I'm just putting you through to the gnome now," Holmes said.
Hawkesby also paid tribute to Armstrong's humour.
"He threatened twice to cut my legs off when I forgot to read the weather," she said.
Veitch said Armstrong was a mentor.
"You could go to him if you wanted advice and you wanted to get the tone for a story - he always had the answer," Veitch said.
Armstrong is survived by his wife Sue, and two sons Christopher and Matthew.
- NEWSTALK ZB / NZHERALD STAFF
