Sir Terry Wogan (3 August 1938 – 31 January 2016) was a great of British radio, and a stalwart of the country’s television. After these pictures from a long and successful career, listen to Terry Wogan signing off his BBC Radio breakfast show on 18 December 2009. It’s emotional.
Wogan was rogueish, touching, splendid, charming, wistful, camp, whimsical, and at more times than I can recall naff. Wogan, as one critic note, spoke in parentheses and inverted commas. When it worked – as often it did – Wogan’s broadcasting style was majestic. Did anyone sane watch the Eurovision Song Contest to discover pop mastery in Austria? We watched to enjoy Wogan’s acerbic wit: “Portugal’s entry isn’t over until this lady has sung”; “Not even Franco’s secret police could help this one” (Spain); and in reply to the host’s assurance “There’ll be a short interval, and then it’s back to the music” by asking “Music? . . . Music?”
Irish television chat show celebrity and radio broadcaster Terry Wogan with American soap star Larry Hagman, who plays JR in ‘Dallas’. At the time, ‘Who Shot JR?’ was the burning question on the lips of a nation of soap addicts, and Wogan is eagerly exploiting the photo-opportunity on his radio show.
Terry Wogan, broadcaster and writer, cavorts with fellow broadcaster Eamonn Andrews (1922 – 1987).
1981: Irish television and radio presenter, Terry Wogan, with the Liverpudlian comedian, Jimmy Tarbuck, during the Bob Hope British Classic golf tournament at Moor Park golf course. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Irish broadcaster Terry Wogan with his wife Helen, holding his baby daughter Katherine in the air at their home, circa 1972.
17th July 1970: The Irish television and radio presenter, Terry Wogan.
17th July 1970: Ex-rugger player and radio personality, Terry Wogan, relaxes at home with his wife Helen.
Terry Wogan takes a walk beside the River Thames with his wife, Helen Joyce, and their children Alan and Mark, 17th March 1972.
Radio One DJ’s pose for a group photograph outside Broadcasting House after the BBC announce their new line up, London, 1967. Back row (left to right); Tony Blackburn, Jimmy Young, Kenny Everett, Duncan Johnson, Robin Scott (controller), David Ryder, Dave Cash, Pete Brady, David Symonds. Middle Row (left to right); Bob Holness, Terry Wogan, Barry Alldiss, Mike Lennox, Keith Skues, Chris Denning, Johnny Moran, Pete Myers. Front row (left to right); Pete Murray, Ed Stewart, Pete Drummond, Mike Raven, Mike Ahern, and John Peel. (Photo by Robert Stiggins/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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