Boxing legend Jim Watt has described his TV presenter daughter Michelle as "the most wonderful girl in the world" following her death last week at the age of 38.

The grieving father - whose son died in a car crash 20 years ago - told how constant pain following a spinal operation plunged his daughter into a depression and drove her to take her own life.

Former 60 Minute Makeover host Michelle Watt was found dead at her home in Airth, near Falkirk.

Speaking for the first time since her death, Watt said his daughter had been unable to eat or sleep properly after having a lumbar puncture last year.

He told the Scottish Sun: "She was in constant pain and wasn't sleeping. It knocked the stuffing out of her.

"Her appetite went and the weight was falling off her. She had no enthusiasm - she didn't want to see anyone or go anywhere. The spark just went. She just ceased to be Michelle."

Watt said the problems "compounded into a deep depression", with his daughter not contacting friends and shutting "the whole world out".

Michelle, who also worked on programmes including Scottish dating show Club Cupid and STV's The Hour, is reportedly survived by her husband Paul and their five-year-old girl.

Watt told the newspaper: "Michelle at her best - everybody loved her. We'll love her for the rest of our lives. We're all totally devastated by this."

The death last Wednesday prompted a flood of tributes, including from TV stars such as Lorraine Kelly and Michelle McManus.

A report into her death is being sent to the procurator fiscal. Police have said there were no suspicious circumstances.

Watt became world champion in boxing's lightweight division in 1979 and has since worked as a commentator, currently with Sky Sports.

In October 1995, the youngest of his three children died in a car crash aged 17.

Speaking in 2010 about the death of Jim junior, he said: ''It was a horrendous time, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. It was just terrible and tragic.''