Former TV weatherman Mike Bailey dies after weeks in coma

Former ABC and Nine News journalist Mike Bailey has died after spending weeks in a coma.

Bailey, who was best known as a weather presenter on the ABC 7pm news, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday night, the Wests Magpies NRL club confirmed on Twitter.

Bailey had been in a coma for three weeks after a medical episode.

LIVE NEWS UPDATES: Sydney facing tighter restrictions as cluster grows

The retired journalist was the West Ashfield Leagues Club chairman, and former Wests Magpies and Wests Tigers director.

Bailey became a household name during the 1970s, '80s and '90s as a TV weatherman on both Channel 7 and ABC.

He retired in 2007 to try his hand at politics, when he contested the seat of North Sydney for Labor.

But his bid to unseat Joe Hockey, who was then the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, was unsuccessful.

In 2008, he was back on the screen, presenting weather for Nine until 2009.

ABC journalists have paid tribute to their former colleague on Twitter.

Bailey leaves behind his wife Helena Bailey, who formerly starred on the Channel 7 show Romper Room, and their son Michael.