Former Match of the Day host Des Lynam is said to be 'distraught' by Mark Lawrenson's suggestion that he is suffering from Azheimer's disease.

The 77-year-old enjoyed a decades-long career in sports broadcasting before deciding to enter retirement in 2013.

Speaking on a podcast recently, Lawrenson said of his former colleague: "I don't think he's too well at the moment. I think he's struggling a little bit. I don't know if it's Alzheimer's or dementia but he's not in the greatest of health I'm afraid."

According to The Sun, Lynam is "fit and healthy" and was left "devastated" by the suggestions that he is unwell.

"Des was devastated when he heard Mark had announced this," an insider told the newspaper. "He's enjoying retirement now, so the last thing he wants is to be worrying friends and family, or them thinking he's ill when he's not. Des is fit and healthy."

Lynam's last hosting job was on the Radio 4 series Touchline Tales in 2013.