Popular Italian sport journalist Gianfranco de Laurentiis died today, Italian media report. He was 81.

De Laurentiis was for many years a presenter of sports programmes on Rai.

He presented Eurogol between 1977 and 1994 together with Giorgio Martino. He was also the anchorman of the programme Domenica Sprint between 1987 and 1996. He presented La Domenica Sportiva in 1994 and 1995.

De Laurentiis also presented Pole Position, dedicated to Formula 1, and Dribbling, which dealt with various sports.