Love, loyalty and laughter... Sir David Frost's widow leads tribute to her tragic son, after his death at 31

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Close: Miles Frost (left) with his father Sir David (right) and mother Lady Carina (centre)

Sir David Frost’s widow yesterday paid tribute to their eldest son’s ‘love, loyalty and laughter’ after his death at the age of 31.

Miles Frost’s two younger brothers also told how the financier had become ‘leader of our pack’ since the death of their broadcaster father two years ago.

Friends said Mr Frost had appeared in excellent health and good spirits before he collapsed while jogging near the family’s Oxfordshire home at the weekend.

His mother, Lady Carina Fitzalan-Howard, 63, said: ‘Miles quite simply was born an old soul. And everybody was drawn to his wisdom, love, loyalty and laughter.’

His brothers Wilfred, 29, a TV presenter and George, 28, who runs a drinks company, added: ‘Miles was the kindest and most generous brother we could have wished for.

‘Since Dad died he was the leader of our pack.

‘Everyone who Miles met immediately fell in love with his warmth, selflessness and incredible sense of humour. He has gone far too soon and is so undeserving of this.’

An air ambulance was scrambled to try to save Mr Frost after he collapsed in the village of Nuffield, near Nettlebed, Oxfordshire, on Sunday.

Passers-by dialled 999 but paramedics were unable to revive him and he was certified dead at the scene.

Thames Valley Police said the death was unexplained but not suspicious.

A post-mortem examination was due to be carried out at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital and an inquest was expected to be opened by the Oxfordshire coroner later in the week.

Educated at Eton and Newcastle University, Mr Frost was a founding partner at Frost Brooks, a London-based private equity group.

Neighbours at his £1million flat in Ladbroke Grove, west London, described him as a ‘down to earth’ man who rode his scooter to work and went to the gym most mornings.

Challenge: Miles Frost (far left) running a gruelling race in Kenya in 2013. He died suddenly on Sunday while jogging near Oxfordshire

Mary Rose Pignatelli, 52, a midwife said: ‘This is such a shock…he seemed a lovely guy whenever I saw him.

‘He was friendly and a good neighbour it’s hard to believe that he has gone.’ 

Former Bond star Sir Roger Moore said he and his wife Kristina were ‘shocked’ to hear of his death.

‘He was wonderful boy taken far too soon,’ he wrote on Twitter.

Author Amy Tan, who knew Mr Frost, described it as an ‘unfathomable loss’ of a ‘brilliant, empathetic, gentle soul.’

Chris Hurley, chief executive of LDC, where Mr Frost worked between 2006 and 2010, said: ‘Miles was a charming and competent professional who was extremely popular with his colleagues.

‘We’re all deeply saddened by the news. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.’

David Frost with son Miles (far right), Lady Carina (second right) and their other son Wilfred at their annual summer party in Chelsea

Lady Carina Fitzalan-Howard (centre) with sons Wilfred (left), Miles (centre) and George (right) at their father's memorial service, Westminster Abbey, in March 2014

As well as running, Mr Frost enjoyed playing football, cricket and tennis and was an avid skier.

His father died from a heart attack aged 74 while on board the Queen Elizabeth cruise liner in August 2013 where he was due to give a speech.

Sir David was most famous for interviewing the disgraced US president Richard Nixon, in which he finally teased some belated admissions of guilt over the Watergate scandal.

A spokesman for the South Central Ambulance Service said: ‘We were called at 14.33 to a medical emergency in the Nuffield area last Sunday.

‘We sent the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, an ambulance crew and an officer to the scene. Sadly, one patient, an adult male, was confirmed deceased at the scene.’ 

Historic: David Frost interviewing former President Richard Nixon in a rented house near Nixon's California property in San Clemente, California