TERRY Wogan was “a giant among broadcasters” as the Limerick man was remembered at a special service this week.
The broadcaster, who never forgot his Irish roots right up until his death in January of this year, had warm and fitting tributes paid in his honour at a star-studded memorial service held at London’s Westminster Abbey, attended by stars of screen and stage.
Limerick city and county Mayor, Cllr Kieran O’Hanlon, said that it was a fitting tribute and service to Terry.
“Terry touched everyone’s life and it can be clearly seen that he is sorely missed.
“He was a giant among broadcasters and will never be replaced.
“He occupied a special place in people’s heart, and that may never be filled.
“It was an honour to be present at the service and representing the people of Limerick.
Held on the 50th anniversary of Terry Wogan’s first BBC radio broadcast, the service was led by Chris Evans, who took over Wogan’s Breakfast Show slot, a slot that the Limerick man commanded the highest audience in Europe at some eight-million listeners in 2009.
The 77-year-old Limerick man passed away in January this year, after what his family described as “a short but brave battle with cancer”.
Evans told the gathering that Wogan “wasn’t the best. He is the best and he will always be the best.”
RTE broadcaster Ryan Tubridy, joined the likes of Jimmy Carr, Peter Gabriel and Katie Melua to name but a few.
Joanna Lumley, read a poem specially commissioned for the event, entitled For The Former Greatest Living Irishman. “I think he was the tops, the cat’s miaow,” she said.
The children of the late broadcaster, Alan, Mark and Katherine, also paid tribute to their father’s “love of our mother, his children and grandchildren”, “his true understanding of charity”, his “empathy and selfless wisdom”, his gentleness and “his love of people”.
A BBC One special tribute programme will be aired at 9pm this Friday, ‘Sir Terry Wogan Remembered: Fifty Years at the BBC’.
