Being interviewed by Christopher was like a shining light in an otherwise predictable day

Kylie Minogue

The 34-year-old was the regular frontman of entertainment bulletin Liquid News, shown nightly on digital channel BBC Choice and weekly on BBC One.

Police are investigating the cause of his death, but said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with his death.

Price was found collapsed at his home at 1645 BST on Monday and was confirmed dead at the scene less than two hours later.

Minogue had been one of many celebrity interviewees charmed by his offbeat style.

Tragic loss

She said: "Being interviewed by Christopher was like a shining light in an otherwise predictable day of promotion.

"I was very much looking forward to meeting him again. It is a tragic loss."

Roger Mosey, the head of BBC television news, said Price was "highly talented".

You couldn't ask for a better friend

Robert Nisbet, BBC entertainment correspondent

"We will miss his journalism as well as his wit, and he was a sparky and entertaining colleague as well as a much-loved presenter on screen," said Mosey.

BBC entertainment correspondent Robert Nisbet said he was devastated to hear the news of Price's death.

The pair first met in 1994, when Radio Five Live was launched.

He said: "I can hardly believe it. Not only was he a brilliant journalist and presenter, but he was my best friend. You couldn't ask for a better friend.

"I last spoke to him on Friday. I don't know what happened. I am lost for words.

Price's quips got him noticed

"He was immensely talented, very sharp, very witty and made a very difficult programme look very easy indeed."

TV presenter and actress Claire Sweeney, who presented the UK's Song for Europe show last month with Price, told BBC News Online he was a "lovely man".

"When I presented my first live TV programme with him he was extremely supportive and generous," she said.

"Christopher was a fantastic person. I am very saddened by the news and will really miss him."

Price started his career as a journalist in BBC local radio, moving to Radio Five Live and News 24 before joining BBC Choice.

The BBC was grooming him for great things

Nick Higham, BBC media correspondent

A post-mortem examinaton will be held on Wednesday.

Hundreds of fans of the show have e-mailed BBC News Online with their tributes to Price, and placed messages on the Liquid News website's message board.

Liquid News was being lined up to become one of the leading programmes on the proposed digital channel BBC Three.

Claire Sweeney joined him for Eurovision coverage

Price hit the headlines early in 2001 when he signed a �280,000 two-year contract for presenting Liquid News.

The show takes an irreverent look at the day's events in the world of entertainment, with daily guests including celebrities, comedians, journalists and industry figures.

BBC media correspondent Nick Higham said Price described himself as an "unlikely overnight success".

"In his own words, he said he was fat, bald and homosexual, but he was perfect for Liquid News," he said.

"He was witty, caustic and camp by turns, and the BBC was grooming him for great things.

In a short space of time, he established himself as a strong, individual voice

Lorraine Heggessey, controller, BBC One

"It is a great loss. He will be extraordinarily difficult to replace."

The Guardian's media correspondent Matt Wells said the presenter was a "rising star" with that "special X-factor great broadcasters have".

"He had a particular ability to speak to a younger generation of viewers in a way that was not patronising but funny, informative and witty - and with journalistic integrity," he added.

Broadcaster and stage star Philip Schofield said Price's death was "tragic", adding: "He had a real future. He had a very niche market but he did have a very tight following."

Liquid News was being groomed as one of BBC Three's flagship shows

Stuart Murphy, the controller of BBC Choice, said Price was a unique broadcaster with enormous passion and extraordinary potential.

"His acerbic wit and boundless cheek made him an absolute pleasure to watch, and an entertaining friend to many both in front of and behind the camera," he said.

Lorraine Heggessey, controller of BBC One said she was "terribly sad".

"He clearly had a bright future ahead of him and in a short space of time had established himself as a strong individual voice," she said.