Arne Weise's long television career has made him one of the most popular television personalities of all time and his passing has generated strong reactions among friends and colleagues.

- He was a person who came after Lennart Hyland and became "Mr. TV". I think he has been one of the pillars of the television world. He has done so much, from children and youth programs to light candles to quiz and nature programs, says the TV producer and former colleague Gunilla Nilars.

- He was an extremely multifaceted person and has meant a lot in that world. He was our first influencer, in his way in the television world.

Cultural news film critic Fredrik Sahlin also draws links to Lennart Hyland.

- He was a television legend in the same league as Lennart Hyland. When Uncle Arne showed up in the box they knew that Christmas presents were missing, but he was much more than a Christmas host, he was a warm personality and professional professional who helped lay the foundation for SVT - yes, to all Swedish television, writes The cultural news film critic Fredrik Sahlin in an email.

"Literally a legend"

Before Arne Weise made himself known through the TV box, he worked on Sweden's radio. There he became friends with Bengt Feldreich, who, like Weise, bestowed Christmas spirit in the Swedish homes through his interpretation of Benjamin Syrsa in Kalle Anka and his friends wish Merry Christmas.

- We had in common that both our parents were German immigrants, my father and Arnes parents were. Hence the names Weise and Feldreich. I remember him as a warm personality and a good colleague who did not stand under his chair because he liked to be seen, says Bengt Feldreich.

The decades when Arne Weise lit the Christmas lights in the box gave him a unique relationship with the people, says SVT CEO Jan Helin.

- There was something special about his voice and ways of appealing to the audience. On Christmas evenings, he addressed lonely people by calling his Christmas hostel a privilege and honor. But we should not forget everything else he did, for example he led the popular program One with Nature for 15 years, says Jan Helin.

- It is literally a legend that has gone out of time.