Reaction to death of Sir Terry Wogan

1. Veteran BBC broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan dies at the age of 77
2. His family said he had been suffering from cancer
3. Sir Terry died on Sunday morning, surrounded by his family
4. BBC director general Tony Hall said Sir Terry "was a national treasure"
5. Sir Terry was best known for the breakfast show on BBC Radio 2, and his 1980s chat show on BBC One

Signing off

Tributes have poured in for Sir Terry Wogan today and we hope we have brought you as many of them as we could.

Our main story will continue to be updated.

But we will leave you with a reprise of the video of Sir Terry signing off from his Radio 2 breakfast show for the last time in 2009.

2009: Sir Terry Wogan signing off from final breakfast show

Wogan was 'a generous and warm-hearted man' - former BBC colleague

I had the privilege of working with Terry during the late 60s, early 70s as a BBC Radio production assistant. It was decided that the nation needed some exercises and so as an instructor with the Keep Fit Association I was designated the task of writing his daily “Fight the Flab” exercises which he broadcast to the unsuspecting British public who were instructed to “blindfold the goldfish” or “seal up the letter box so that the postman would not see! Which meant, needless to say, that he never stuck to the script but the exercises were followed by many people at the time who phoned in regularly to let us know how they were getting on.

I still have correspondence from the BBC and a little book which he had published called “Fight the Flab” – Keep fit with Terry Wogan – exercises from his BBC Radio Show and published in 1971 at 20p and in fact on another project we worked on, which was cancelled at the last minute he paid me himself to ensure I received my fee for the work I had done. He was indeed a generous warm-hearted man.

Long after I left the BBC I always listened to his morning Radio 2 show and he regularly made me laugh out loud as I drove up to Rotherhithe in the early morning and caused concern to other drivers in the same traffic jam as I was.  (obviously not listening to Radio 2)!!

It is so sad to know that he will not be on radio again -  I always think Radio was his first love and his insightful comments and warmth made me think he was talking only to me when in fact his listening figures were huge.

RIP Terry

Ann Wakefield, production assistant – Radio 1/2

Singers pay tribute to 'witty as hell' Wogan

Listen: Wogan 'complete, ready-made radio broadcaster'

The World This Weekend

Radio 4 programme

Friends and colleagues Ken Bruce and Alan Dedicoat remembered Sir Terry Wogan. The broadcasters were in discussion with Mark Markell on BBC Radio 4's World This Weekend after they listened to clips of the Radio 2 presenter and TV personality.

Ken Bruce and Alan Dedicoat discussed the life and times of Sir Terry Wogan.

BBC's Moscow correspondent on Wogan correspondence

Kylie joins tributes to Sir Terry

Telegraph cartoon - 'One for Old Tel'

Books of condolence to open in Limerick

'An extraordinary broadcaster' - BBC Trust chairman

Sir Terry Wogan was an extraordinary broadcaster treasured by audiences, who made an immense contribution in his long and dedicated career. He will be much missed by millions and all our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.

Rona FairheadBBC Trust chairman

Sir Terry Wogan: Your memories and pictures

Read about other people's memories here

I was a young student in London from 1987 to 1989 studying at Hammersmith and West London College which was opposite the BBC Lime Grove studios. We would often see famous TV people in the street or nearby but I only got one autograph and that was Sir Terry's.

We sat in the pub opposite Shepherds Bush Green and someone said that Terry was outside, so we rushed out to say hello. He was charming and happy to stop and chat to us. I only had an old Tube ticket in my pocket but he was very obliging and signed his name on the back of it.

Alison Hayward

I met him once, in 1998 at the Eurovision Song Contest in Birmingham which he co-presented. When he learned I was from the Netherlands, he complimented our song that year. "It's got to win," he said. "It's by far the best. Very musically, very well-performed and arranged by the orchestra." Alas, we didn't win (Israel did), but to hear this from the great man was nice."  

Johan van Slooten

Sir Terry 'simply the best'

In a statement, TV presenter Chris Tarrant called the news of Sir Terry's death "awful and unexpected"

"Even though we had competing breakfast shows for many years, he was always incredibly kind to me: but of course he was kind to everybody... unfailingly funny on and off the screen - just a lovely, warm, witty man. 

He had a unique radio presence that never came from a podium, rather a comfortable fireside armchair. He was the finest broadcaster of my lifetime. Simply the best. 

BBC

The airwaves have lost a great gentleman."

Chris Tarrant

Wogan was a 'thoughtful, generous and sane man'

Sir Terry: 'loveliest of men'

Music stars have joined the many tributes to Sir Terry Wogan - who had his own (minor) chart hit with The Floral Dance in 1978 - among them Ireland's Ronan Keating and Andrea Corr.

Floral tributes left at Sir Terry's home

Flowers have been left outside the home of Sir Terry Wogan in Buckinghamshire. One card said: "Terry! Rest in peace."

PA

Rantzen shares memories of working with Wogan

BBC

Esther Rantzen, who worked with Sir Terry on Children in Need, said he was famous for not rehearsing performances. 

You enjoyed the wit when you were in his company. You enjoyed it whether you were a viewer or a listener. The only criticism I ever heard anyone make of Terry was that he just wouldn't rehearse.

Take one was, for him, the best and only take. But as take one was always brilliant, those who wanted take 104 were not really disappointed."

'None of us saw this coming'

Richard Madeley, who had been sitting in for Sir Terry on Radio 2, said "none of us saw this coming", adding that he had expected to see the veteran presenter back working early next month.

He joined the many voices paying tribute to Sir Terry.

BBC

There was no disconnect between the Terry Wogan that we saw on the television or heard on the radio, and the real man, none at all.

He would just walk in, shoulder off his coat and start broadcasting without there being any kind of gap."

Richard Madeley

Wogan 'made radio in age of TV' - Father Brian D'Arcy

Sir Terry Wogan "was the one who made radio in an age of television", his close friend and fellow broadcaster Father Brian D'Arcy has said.

Fr D'Arcy said Sir Terry "perfected the art of radio from a very early age".

"He was the only man I ever met who could make a pause sound interesting," the County Fermanagh priest told BBC Radio Ulster's The Sunday News.

AFP/Getty Images

Wogan 'helped raise millions' for Children in Need

BBC

Stevie Spring, chairwoman of Children In Need, said Sir Terry had helped raise hundreds of millions of pounds for the charity. 

He was absolutely dedicated to making a difference to the lives of as many children as possible in the UK.

You would try and brief him before an event or before an appearance - slightly a waste of time, and actually much, much, much better for him to just say what was in his heart, and it was in his heart. It was one of the most important things in his life.

Cancer charity 'grateful' for Sir Terry's support

Lynda Thomas, Macmillan Cancer Support's chief executive, said the charity is mourning the loss of Sir Terry, who had supported its fundraising efforts. 

We are deeply saddened to hear the news that Sir Terry Wogan has passed away from cancer. At Macmillan we've been lucky enough to have benefited from Sir Terry's support for events such as World's Biggest Coffee Morning.

We are extremely grateful for everything he did to help us raise awareness and vital funds for people affected by cancer. We are sending our heartfelt condolences to Sir Terry's family at this difficult time.

Tea and biscuits with Sir Terry

Comedian Sarah Millican recalled a treat-laden interview with Sir Terry on BBC Radio 2.