Channel 7 Sunrise reporter Nathan Templeton dies, aged 44

Tributes are flowing for popular Channel 7 reporter Nathan Templeton who has tragically died, aged 44.

The Sunrise personality and father-of-two was reportedly walking his dog near the Barwon River in Geelong, where his body was discovered on Tuesday afternoon.

He is understood to have suffered a medical episode.

Templeton has worked for Channel 7 since 2012 and covered major events including the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and Australian Open. He previously worked for Network 10.

Seven Melbourne managing director Lewis Martin confirmed the news in a staff email on Wednesday.

“The tragic news of Nathan’s passing has left us all at Seven profoundly saddened,” he said.

“Nathan was a respected journalist whose passion for storytelling was evident in all his years reporting for Sunrise, 7NEWS and multiple Olympic Games.

“He was based out of Seven’s Melbourne headquarters but was well known and much-loved right across the network, and through his work on Sunrise and major sporting events, right around Australia.

“Our deepest condolences go out to his family, loved ones and especially his two young sons, during this difficult time.”

Viewers and media personalities have taken to social media to express their sadness at his death.

Templeton’s Channel 7 colleague Basil Zempilas shared a picture of the pair together and paid tribute to his team spirit.

“This is how I’ll remember Nathan. Always happy, so reliable, incredibly hard working and just so good to have on the team,” Zempilas wrote.

“He was team first. Always. That smile made everyone smile, his colleagues, his friends, the athletes, the audience.

“We’ll miss you little mate, my deepest condolences to Kate and the boys - your dad was a champion, we’ll never forget him.”’

Templeton was a father to sons Jack and James.

In his final Instagram post, he shared a picture of his boys with their chocolate eggs on Easter Sunday.

“Favourite morning of the year,” he wrote.