In happier times: Adrian Milner with Gemma Stuttard and her daughter Molly

The grieving family of dad-of-two Adrian Milner will make an emotional appeal on Crimewatch tonight to find his killer.

The programme, screened at 9pm on BBC1, will include interviews with the murder team leading the inquiry.

Mr Milner, known as Ada, was punched in the face as he walked home along Church Road in Murston, Sittingbourne.

It happened just before 7.53pm on December 28.

Kent Police launched a murder hunt after the 48-year-old died in a London hospital 12 days later.

Crimewatch will feature interviews with his brother Duncan and partner Gemma Stuttard.

It will also show CCTV images of his last movements and potential witnesses the police are keen to speak to.

Duncan Milner said: "The whole family is grateful that Crimewatch is featuring the investigation and we are hoping that the appeal will jog someone’s memory of events that night.

"We are still devastated by Ada’s death and it is terrible to know that whoever killed him is still out there.

"Bringing his killer to justice would help us come to terms with Ada’s death."

Speaking publicly about his father for the first time, 20-year-old Josh Milner has paid tribute to his dad, who he described as, "always smiling, always laughing – he was a funny person".

"My dad and I used to travel all over the South East grass track racing. He was my mechanic and I was the driver.

"We were not your typical father and son – we were good mates. He was a friend as well as a dad," he said.

"It was a great shock losing my dad at such a young age. His death still hasn’t sunk in and I don’t think it ever will, to be honest.

"I keep waking up expecting to see him and I can’t believe I’m never going to see him again.

"I am so angry at what happened because it was an unprovoked attack. He didn’t deserve it.

"It is very frustrating and upsetting and I just hope we find the person who did it. They need to be found."

He appealed for anyone with information to come forward: "Just imagine if someone took your father.

"You would want to know who had done it. We have to know who has done this."

Detective Sergeant Richard Le Jeune, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, will be appearing live to appeal to the public to come forward with information.

He said: "Mr Milner and his friend Michael Coomber had been for a drink in the New Inn on the evening of December 28 and were walking home along Church Road when a third man punched Mr Milner in the face in what was a completely unprovoked attack.

"This single blow caused Mr Milner to fall to the floor and hit the back of his head. He died from his injuries 12 days later."

Det Sgt Le Jeune added: "We urgently need to speak to the people on the CCTV who we know were in the area at the time and may have vital information about what happened."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate on 01622 654 852.