Vicki Archer’s cryptic last tweets after married BBC presenter was found dead

A BBC radio presenter has died suddenly at the age of 41 after cryptic last tweets calling gossip "corrosive" and "hurtful".

Mum Vicki Archer - who had presented the afternoon drivetime show for BBC Radio Shropshire since 2010 - was thought to be home alone after tweeting her children were away on holiday.

Just yesterday she posted a jokey photograph on Twitter wearing a a pair of spectacles made out of Post-It notes and wrote: "I forgot my glasses. This will do though right?"

The cause of her death is unknown.

Her devastated family today described the mum as a "extremely talented broadcaster" who was "much loved".

A family statement read: "Vicki was a much loved daughter and mother as well as being an extremely talented broadcaster.

"We are still coming to terms with her tragic loss so would ask that people respect our privacy and leave us alone to grieve as a family."

The news of her sudden death was broken by breakfast presenter Eric Smith just after 3pm on today's show.

He described her as a "much loved colleague" and that she "brought a wonderful sense of fun to her shows and in the newsroom".

David Jennings, the BBC's head of regional programmes for the West Midlands, said the local station is "heartbroken" and described her as a "great journalist".

He said: "We are heartbroken at Vicki's death. Everyone here at Radio Shropshire respected her as a great presenter and journalist.

"We loved the sense of fun she brought to her shows and the station.

"Her loss leaves a huge void. Our thoughts are with her family at this sad time."

She worked with co-host Adam Green and also had a career in commercial radio as a voiceover artist and event host.

Green tweeted today: “I am sad and numb. Vicki was a lovely human being with a big heart. She was kind, generous, creative, warm and friendly to all she met. In the 8 years I have worked with her there wasn’t a day when we didn’t laugh out loud. My thoughts are with her beautiful children and family x”

Radio presenter Carl Jones said: “Such devastatingly sad news – it was my pleasure and privilege to work with Vicki for the past eight years, and co-present the drive-time show with her on many occasions. One of life’s truly good people, who will leave a huge void.”

Shropshire Councillor Andy Boddington added: "I am in tears at this news. BBC Radio Shropshire is part of the community fabric of our county. We have lost not just a lively radio presenter, we have lost a great friend of Shropshire."