Sunday 31 January 2016

Goodbye Sir Terry: Tributes pour in for TV legend after he loses cancer battle aged 77

VETERAN television presenter Sir Terry Wogan has died aged 77.

  REST IN PEACE: Sir Terry Wogan has died after a battle with cancer
The TV legend, famed for fronting the Eurovision Song Contest, passed away today, his family confirmed. 
In a statement, they said: "Sir Terry Wogan died today after a short but brave battle with cancer.
"He passed away surrounded by his family.
"While we understand he will be missed by many, the family ask that their privacy is respected at this time."
BBC director general Tony Hall said: "Terry truly was a national treasure."
   TREASURE: Sir Terry Wogan raised £600million as the face of Children in Need

The broadcasting stalwart has been entertaining Brit audiences on television and radio for more than 50 years. 
His glittering career includes Children in Need since it began in 1980 - raising £600million - as well as his Wogan BBC radio chat show. 
Sir Terry's death is the third this month to rock the world of showbiz and entertainment, following the loss of David Bowie and Alan Rickman.
And it is just weeks after rock'n'roll legend and Motorhead frontman Lemmy Kilminster went to the great guitar heaven in the sky.
All three iconic stars, like Sir Terry, chose to keep their cancer battles secret from the public eye.
   SADLY MISSED: Sir Terry and wife Helen at a Children in.    Need Gala in 2013

Sir Terry's final appearance on the airwaves was last November 8 for a Radio 2 show. 
He was forced to pull out of Children in Need later that month for health reasons. 
The Blankety Blank presenter was described as a "huge talent" as dozens of friends and colleagues paid tribute. 
His successor as host of Radio 2's breakfast show, Chris Evans, tweeted: "We are all so terribly sad upon hearing of the passing of Terry.
"I can't put into words how the whole Radio 2 family is feeling.
"Our most heartfelt thoughts go out to Helen, Mark, Alan, Katherine and Vanessa.
"To many of us Terry was Radio 2. We still can't believe it."
Beeb director Lord Hall told how he had lost a "wonderful friend", adding: 
"He was a lovely, lovely man and our thoughts are with his wife and family. 
"For 50 years Sir Terry graced our screens and airwaves.
"His warmth, wit and geniality meant that for millions he was a part of the family.
"Wake up to Wogan was for millions of Radio 2 listeners the very best way to start the day.
"For decades he's been such a huge part of the BBC on television and radio and leaves so many wonderful memories.
"At the centre of Children In Need since its beginning he raised hundreds of millions of pounds and changed so many lives for the better. He leaves a remarkable legacy."
     LEGEND: Terry Wogan was a hero to millions for his Children in Need work
Prime Minister David Cameron also paid his respects, tweeting: "My thoughts are with Terry Wogan's family.
"Britain has lost a huge talent - someone millions came to feel was their own special friend.
"I grew up listening to him on the radio and watching him on TV. His charm and wit always made me smile."
Loveable Tezza was known for his cheeky grin, twinkle in his eye and "special connection" with his audiences.
He has been described as "one of Britain's greatest broadcasters of all time."
The nation's favourite DJ was awarded a knighthood in 2005 and received an OBE in 1997.
     HUGE TALENT: Audiences loved Sir Terry on quiz show Blankety Blank
Scores of stars took to Twitter to pay tribute to Sir Terry, including fellow Irishman Graham Norton, who replaced him on Eurovision in 2008. 
Sir Tel's inimitable humour and wit during 35 years of Eurovision commentary made the cheesy pop spectacle a must-watch for Brit audiences. 
And Eurovision today described him as "without doubt the most remarkable Eurovision commentator in history".
He demonstrated his dry sense of humour with other memorable quips about the show, including: "I don't make the mistake of thinking it's a major musical event. I love the Eurovision Song Contest and it will continue long after I'm gone. Just please don't ask me to take it seriously."
Sir Terry said of the 2007 contest in Finland: "Who knows what hellish future lies ahead? … Actually, I do. I've seen the rehearsals."
And he described the hosts of the 2001 show in Denmark: "Doctor Death and the Tooth Fairy." 
   HOWLER: Sir Terry laughed off announcing the wrong act to represent the UK at Eurovision
Sir Tel famously announced the wrong act selected to represent the UK on Making Your Mind Up in 2007 (It was Scooch who finished 22 out of 24 with a paltry 19 points).
But the blunder only served to further endear him to the nation.
The presenter defended his cock-up: "Nobody died. It's a television programme. It wasn't the general election. People got a bit confused."
Now fans are calling for a special tribute to Sir Terry at the next Eurovision contest.
Celebrity Juice host Leigh Francis dubbed Sir Terry a "television Jedi".
Unfortunately dozens of devastated fans tweeted tributes using the WRONG name. 
Andy Scott-Lee – brother of Steps star Lisa – and member of pop group 3SL was among those incorrectly spelling the Eurovision presenter's name.
The star wrote: "RIP Terry Wigan! You were a legend!!"




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