Sir William McAlpine has reportedly passed away at the age of 82

The Fawley Hill estate owner is said to have died following a period of illness according to reports, although the family are yet to release a statement.

A number of exotic animals from his estate have been spotted in and around Marlow in recent years, with animal lover Lady McAlpine confirming some of them belonged to her.

Tributes poured in on social media for the baronet, who was also a keen railway enthusiast and once rescued the steam locomotive Flying Scotsman, bringing it back to England from America after it was set to spend the rest of its days in a museum.

TV star Ben Fogle joined in with tributes for the former High Sherriff of Buckinghamshire, saying he was “devastated” at the passing of the “gentleman and [his] friend”.