BBC broadcasting veteran Sir Terry Wogan sadly passed away at the age of 77 over the weekend. The TV personality died ‘surrounded by his family’ following a short battle with cancer.
Tributes have been pouring in from around the globe following the tragic news – with everybody from Jonathan Ross to the Prime Minister leaving tributes.
There is no doubt that Mr Wogan was one of the biggest TV personalities here in the UK – Everybody knew who he was, no matter how old, or young, you were.
As a tribute, we at Lifeline24 would like to take you through his illustrious career.
Birth and first Broadcasting work
Sir Terry Wogan was born in Limerick, Republic of Ireland, on August 3, 1938. He would move to Dublin at the age of 15 after his father, the manager of popular grocery store Leverett & Frye, received a promotion.
Before entering the broadcasting business, Mr Wogan gave banking a try and worked for the Royal Bank of Ireland. He moved into radio in 1960, with Ireland’s national radio station: RTÉ (Raidió Teilifís Éireann). Whilst there he worked as a newsreader and presented documentary features before becoming a disk jockey.
He hosted quiz and variety shows on the station but once the main show, Jackpot, was dropped he decided to approach the BBC for some extra work.
Welcome to the BBC
After a few shows the BBC offered Mr Wogan a full-time contract. In 1972, following a successful stint on Radio 1’s Late Night Extra, he took over the Radio 2 Breakfast Show.
The Terry Wogan Show became an instant hit with fans across the country – with audiences tuning in on a daily basis.
His first stint in radio would last until 1984, when he would leave to become a full-time TV presenter.
Children in Need
The first-ever Children in Need programme was broadcast on November 21, 1980 with Mr Wogan as one of the presenters. He would present the show for the next 34 years.
His face and voice became apart of the show and he always did his best to try and raise as much money as possible for the children. This included releasing charity singles and hosting auctions on his radio show.
He presented every Children in Need edition apart from 2015 and he will be sadly missed from the proceedings this year.
Chat shows and Eurovision
During the 1980’s and early 1990’s Mr Wogan presented a number of chat shows for the BBC including ‘What’s on Wogan’ and ‘Wogan’.
These shows allowed the charismatic star to really show-off his personality and brilliant interviewing techniques with some of the biggest celebrities at the time. He was never shy of voicing his opinions and saying it how it was.
His shows, though entertaining, also provided some of the most controversial moments. Examples include an interview with a drunk George Best , David Icke claiming to be the son of God and actress Anne Bancroft not realising the show was live until she was about to arrive on stage.
Eurovision is a show that you either love or hate but many have admitted that they only watched it to here the commentary from Terry Wogan.
He was often praised for his humour and attitude towards the event during his 35-year stint on the show – voicing his opinions as only he could.
Return to radio and Knighthood
Following his TV chat shows, Mr Wogan returned to Radio 2 in 1993 with his new breakfast show: ‘Wake Up To Wogan’.
This show brought even more success as viewers, both old and young tuned in to listen to the latest bit of ‘banter’ between Wogan and his producer Paul Walters.
The morning show become known for the presenter going off with his own rambles and views, along with the constant jokes and laughter. Listener numbers would often top eight million.
Mr Wogan was awarded with an OBE in 1997 before receiving a Knighthood in 2005 – after he had asserted his right to British Citizenship.
RIP Sir Terry Wogan
Sir Terry Wogan will be missed by everybody, not only here in the UK but around the world. He became a national treasure through his long broadcasting career.
Our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this very sad time.
