Tim Bowden: Beloved ABC radio and TV host presenter dies, as he's remembered as a pioneering 'groundbreaker' of broadcasting

Tributes are pouring in for a popular television and radio veteran who has been remembered as one of ABC's 'pre-eminent journalists'.

Tim Bowden, who passed away in his sleep aged 87, is a familiar face to many Australians after a decades-long career at the national broadcaster.

After joining the ABC's Radio Drama and Features Department in 1975, the successful journalist began making documentaries.

Tim also went on to set-up Radio National's Social History Unit and was the presenter for the programs Talking History and That's History in the mid-eighties.

But it was the television show Backchat which ran from 1986-1994 that Bowden became best known for.

He hosted the show and it consisted of him answering letters from ABC viewers. 

ABC managing director David Anderson led the outpouring of tributes.

'(Tim was) a storyteller whose curiosity for the world around him was valued by so many of our audiences,' he said.

'Tim was part of the generation of ABC journalists who brought those events and their meaning into Australian homes every night.'

Bowden's death sparked an outpouring of grief from fans and former colleagues across the country.

Mike Carlton wrote on X that he was 'deeply saddened' to hear the news about his 'old mate' and 'colleague'.   

'Wise and witty, enormously good company, a great journalist of the old school,' he wrote.

ABC radio host Sabra Lane wrote: 'Vale Tim Bowden - ABC Journalist, Foreign correspondent, Backchat host. Also a Tasmanian treasure'.

Author Daniel Best said: 'Incredibly sad to hear. His book about Neil Davis, 'One Crowded Hour', is a masterpiece'.

'I still revisit it from time to time. Mr Bowden was a rare writer, one who put the story first, and rightly so. May he rest easy, and I'm sure he's sharing a laugh with Neil,' he said.

One fan posted: 'Absolutely gutted at the news of Tim Bowden passing. I'm a big fan, and any episode of Backchat found is a good day for me'.

Born in Hobart, the broadcaster graduated with an arts degree before working with the BBC's General Overseas Service in London between 1960-1962.

Bowden worked at the BBC with the Pacific Service as both a radio interviewer and producer.

He first joined the ABC in Tasmania on his return home from Europe in 1963, working in both radio and television.

Bowden went on to become a correspondent in both Asia and North America in the turbulent mid-to-late-60s, explaining events to Australians that were impacting the region.

The journalist then went back into producing and became the first executive producer of PM, a current affairs program on ABC radio in 1969.

Bowden also did 'amazing' documentaries about the Australian research taking place in the Antarctic - and the footage filmed is still broadcast today.

But his talents didn't stop there - the grandfather wrote a staggering 15 books, including 'One Crowded Hour – Neil Davis, Combat Cameraman, 1934-85,' in 1987 and 'The Changi Camera' in 2012.  

Mr Anderson said the journalist was 'part of the fabric of the ABC for decades' and didn't just make a 'huge contribution' to the ABC - but to the nation as well.   

'He was generous to his colleagues and was known as much for his sense of humour as his passion for journalism and the ABC,' he said.

'Our condolences go to Tim's family and many friends and colleagues.'

Bowden received an Order of Australia in 1994 for services to public broadcasting.