Outspoken, often controversial, fiercely iconoclastic - Christopher Hitchens takes on former British prime minister Tony Blair in a debate on religion.<br/> The atheist author and journalist died aged 62 on Thursday after losing his battle with oesophageal cancer.<br/> A heavy smoker and drinker, he had made the U.S. his home since 1981 when he moved to New York from Britain to work there as a journalist.<br/> As a journalist, war correspondent and literary critic, he carved out a reputation for barbed repartee, scathing critiques of public figures and a fierce intelligence.<br/> He was especially cutting on religion, through it all, never losing his biting humour.<br/> (Insert soundbite from debate - WILL ADD THIS - JUST WAITING FOR SHOT LIST).<br/> The author of 25 books and countless articles and columns, many with the magazine Vanity Fair, died at the MD Anderson Cancer Centre in Houston.<br/> Sunita Rappai, Reuters
