Tributes to broadcaster who made his home in Buckinghamshire

  • Meridian
Sir Terry Wogan has died, aged 77 Credit: PA

Sir Terry Wogan, hailed as a "national treasure", has died aged 77 after suffering from cancer.

The broadcaster, who has lived in Taplow in Buckinghamshire since 1975, was surrounded by his family.

Credit: PA

Tributes have poured in from a host of stars, with Prime Minister David Cameron saying Sir Terry was "someone millions came to feel was their own special friend".

Though born in Limerick, Sir Terry made his home at Taplow in Buckinghamshire, where he lived with his wife Helen.

The couple have four children and five grandchildren.

Sir Terry with his wife Helen, after receiving his Knighthood in 2005 Credit: PA

He was patron of the Thames Valley Adventure Playground which he opened in 1982, and was regularly involved in charity golf days in his home county.

Sir Terry was last on air on BBC Radio 2 just under three months ago, on Sunday November 8, and days later was forced to pull out of presenting Children In Need at the last minute due to health issues.

A family statement 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."

Sir Terry with Pudsey bear Credit: PA

Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "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."

Credit: PA

Paying tribute to his friend, BBC broadcaster Jeremy Vine said: "Terry started doing the Radio 2 breakfast show when I was six. When, aged 37, I joined the network, he was unfailingly encouraging and friendly. He did nearly 40 years at breakfast, with an intermission for TV work: surely an unbeatable record.

"Someone asked Terry how many listeners he had. Instead of answering nine million, which would have been accurate, he said: 'Only one.'

"And it was this approach that made him one of the greatest broadcasters this country has ever seen. He only ever spoke to one person."

What are your memories of Sir Terry? Did you ever meet him?

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