Delia Smith's husband Michael Wynn Jones dies

Michael Wynn Jones, the husband of TV cook Delia Smith, has died at the age of 85.

Together with Smith, he was a majority shareholder at Norwich City Football Club for 26 years until 2024.

"Michael died peacefully at home on Monday morning," the Championship club said, adding he would be "greatly missed".

The couple, who lived near Stowmarket in Suffolk, became defining figures in the Canaries' history, overseeing several promotions to the Premier League.

Outside of football, Wynn Jones worked as a journalist for titles including the Daily Mirror and The Spectator, before founding his own publishing company.

"His family are grateful for the wonderful care provided by the community nursing team at St Elizabeth Hospice," the Norwich City statement added.

"Our deepest condolences are with Delia and Tom, and with all of Michael's family, friends and loved ones."

Ed Balls, the former Labour shadow chancellor, who was Norwich chairman between 2015 and 2018, said Wynn Jones was a "proper fan".

"He could be quite grumpy because, like every fan, he felt it in a very emotional way," Balls told the BBC.

"But there was never any doubt that come the next game he'd have the scarf on and he would be saying to me, 'Ed, Norwich City - best football club in the world, this is where we turn things around.'"

Posting on X, former Norwich forward Darren Huckerby added : "Such sad news, he stayed out of the limelight but all at [the club] owe him so much."

Fellow ex-Canary Darren Eadie also described Wynn Jones as "a kind and caring gentleman".

Smith fell in love with Wynn Jones over a shared love of food and football, she previously told BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs.

He attended his first Carrow Road game in April 1955, aged 13, and wrote fondly of the club's unlikely run to the FA Cup semi-final in 1959.

While Smith was often in the spotlight at Norwich City, her husband was regarded as a trusted adviser and influential figure in the boardroom.

The couple put the Canaries on a solid financial footing while navigating promotions, relegations and the day-to-day life of running a football club.

Wynn Jones and Smith were awarded honorary life presidencies at Carrow Road after stepping back from majority ownership.

Norwich City Fans Social Club said: "Michael is a true NCFC legend and what he did for the club cannot be underestimated."

The club is expected to release more details about how fans can pay tribute to Wynn Jones in due course.