Vale: Sir Terry Wogan

Veteran UK broadcaster, Sir Terry Wogan, best known for commentating the Eurovision Song Contest, has died aged 77.

“Sir Terry Wogan died today after a short but brave battle with cancer,” a family statement said.

“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.”

Wogan, whose career began in radio, commentated the Eurovision Song Contest for 28 years from 1980 – 2008, although the first was on radio in 1971. He even co-hosted in 1998.

He joined the BBC in 1966, and went on to become a national institution as a disc jockey, chat show host and presenter, known for his gently mocking wit and Irish brogue.

His acerbic descriptions of Eurovision contestants and hosts, together with his often-expressed irritation at the way groups of countries always voted for each other, chimed with a British audience.

He also hosted chat show Wogan and Blankety Blanks for the BBC.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron said Britain had lost a “huge talent”.

“I grew up listening to him on the radio and watching him on TV,” he wrote on Twitter. “His charm and wit always made me smile.

“Britain has lost a huge talent — someone millions came to feel was their own special friend.”

Graham Norton, said: “He made it seem effortless and for a young boy in Ireland he made it seem possible. RIP Sir Terry Wogan. I’ll raise a glass during song nine.”

Jean Philip De Tender, Director of Media at the EBU: “He proved that public service media & entertainment can go hand in hand.”

Source: BBC, ABC, Eurovision