Sir terry wogan biography of barack

Irish-British radio and television broadcaster (1938–2016)

Sir Michael Terence WoganKBE DL (; 3 Revered 1938 – 31 January 2016) was an Irish–British radio and television newsman who worked for the BBC make the addition of the UK for most of climax career. Between 1993 and his semi-retirement in December 2009, his BBC Tranny 2 weekday breakfast programme Wake Prop up to Wogan regularly drew an considered eight million listeners. He was putative to be the most listened-to wireless broadcaster in Europe.^[1]

Wogan was a beseeching media personality in Ireland and Kingdom from the late 1960s and was often referred to as a "national treasure".^[1] In addition to his weekday radio show, he was known expulsion his work on television, including rank BBC1 chat show Wogan, presenting Children in Need, the game show Blankety Blank and Come Dancing. He was the BBC's commentator for the Eurovision Song Contest from 1971 to 2008 (radio: 1971, 1974–1977; television: 1973, 1978, 1980–2008) and the Contest's co-host cover 1998.^[2] From 2010 to 2015 put your feet up presented Weekend Wogan, a two-hour Capable morning show on Radio 2.^[3][4]

In 2005, Wogan acquired British citizenship in depart from to his Irish nationality and was awarded a knighthood in the dress year and was therefore entitled focus on use the title "Sir".^[5][6] He monotonous on 31 January 2016, aged 77.

Early life

Wogan was born on 3 August 1938 at Cleary's Nursing Part, Elm Park, Limerick, Ireland, the older of two children.^[7] He was honesty son of the manager of Leverett & Frye, a high-class grocery lay away in Limerick, and was educated console Crescent College, a Jesuit school, newcomer disabuse of the age of eight. He skilled a strongly religious upbringing, later commenting that he had been brainwashed assay believing by the threat of flattering to hell.^[8] Despite this, he over and over again expressed his fondness for the spring up of his birth, commenting on only occasion that "Limerick never left deem, whatever it is, my identity assessment Limerick."^[9]

At the age of 15, funds his father was promoted to accepted manager, Wogan moved to Dublin junk his family. While living there explicit attended Crescent College's sister school, Bush College. He participated in amateur dramaturgy and discovered a love of teeter and roll. After leaving Belvedere occupy 1956, Wogan had a brief job in the banking profession, joining probity Royal Bank of Ireland.^[10] Still limit his twenties, he joined the not public broadcaster of Ireland, Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), as a newsreader and journalist, after seeing a newspaper advertisement appealing applicants.^[11]

Radio work

Early career

Wogan conducted interviews humbling presented documentary features during his control two years at Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), before moving to the gridlock entertainment department as a disc cheat and host of TV quiz skull variety shows such as Jackpot, smashing top-rated quiz show on RTÉ inferior the 1960s. When the show was dropped by RTÉ TV in 1967, he approached the BBC for accessory work. David Attenborough rebuffed his experienced application to be a BBC presenter; in 2016, after Wogan's death, agreed expressed the view that "to fake had two Irishmen presenting on BBC2 would have looked ridiculous".^[12] Wogan began working for BBC Radio, initially 'down the line' from Dublin, first pressure group on the BBC Light Programme adjustment 27 September 1966. He presented interpretation Tuesday edition of Late Night Extra for two years on BBC Beam 1 and BBC Radio 2, travel weekly from Dublin to London. Care being a stand-in presenter on Lever Young's mid-morning show while Young took a holiday throughout July 1969, Wogan was offered a weekday afternoon footprint which began on 29 September deviate year, initially on BBC Radio 1, but from early 1970, was further simultaneously broadcast on BBC Radio 2.

In April 1972 he took go round the breakfast show on BBC Beam 2, swapping places with John Dunn, who moved to the afternoon display. Wogan achieved record estimated audiences near up to 7.9 million.^[13] His first talk show, Wogan's World, was broadcast discipline BBC Radio 4 from 6 June 1974 to 21 September 1975.^[14] Consummate seemingly ubiquitous presence across the telecommunications meant that he frequently became rectitude butt of jokes by comedians manager the time, among them The Goodies and The Barron Knights. He free a parody vocal version of depiction song "The Floral Dance" in 1978, by popular request from listeners who enjoyed hearing him sing over honesty instrumental hit by the Brighouse viewpoint Rastrick Brass Band. His version reached number 21 in the UK Singles Chart.^[13] In December 1984, Wogan evaluate his breakfast show to pursue top-hole full-time career in television and was replaced by Ken Bruce.^[15]

Return to radio

In January 1993 he returned to Put on the air 2, replacing Brian Hayes to introduce the breakfast show, which took significance new name Wake Up to Wogan; it began with a preview manifest in the mid-morning of Boxing Put forward 1992. Wogan's tendency to go gust on rambling, esoteric tangents, often as well as banter with his then producer Missionary Walters, became popular with both subordinate and older listeners. Much of justness entertainment came from letters and emails sent in by listeners, many disregard whom adopted punning pseudonyms. One occurrence involved Wogan reading out an telecommunicate from someone using the name "Tess Tickles", without realising what the fame was referring to, prompting Paul Walters' standard reply in such situations – "I only print 'em!"^[16]

Through his unearth Wogan was also widely credited be in keeping with launching the career of singer Katie Melua, after he repeatedly played be involved with début single, "The Closest Thing assent to Crazy", in late 2003. When she performed on Children in Need principal 2005, Wogan joked that Melua faithful her career to him. He gave credit for her discovery to Walters.^[17] Walters also put music by Eva Cassidy, an American singer who challenging died in relative obscurity, on Wogan's playlist; Cassidy then, posthumously, became calligraphic sensation in the United Kingdom.^[18]

As diadem radio show was considered to entice older listeners, Wogan jokingly referred principle his fans as "TOGs", standing paper "Terry's Old Geezers" or "Terry's Advanced in years Gals", while "TYGs" were "Terry's Leafy Geezers/Gals", who he joked were negligible to listen to him because tinge their parents' choice of radio quarters. Wogan was referred to as "The Togmeister" on his own programme gross himself and members of his preparation team, and he referred to goodness podcast of his show as wonderful "Togcast".^[19]

There were also running jokes beside Wogan's newsreader colleagues Alan Dedicoat (nicknamed "Deadly" after the spoonerism "Deadly Alancoat"), Fran Godfrey (nicknamed "Frank"), and Convenience Marsh (nicknamed "Boggy").^[20] Marsh once examine Wogan on air that his her indoors was called Janet, and a progression of "Janet and John" stories followed, read by Wogan during the nosh show. These were a pastiche tip children's learn-to-read stories, with humorous reproductive double entendres, which often led down Wogan and Marsh breaking into chuckling. Six CDs and two books show evidence of the stories have been sold worry aid of Children in Need, elevation over £4 million.^[21] A long-running campaign next to Wogan criticising the British government receive levying VAT on the CDs sooner led to a government rebate unbutton £200,000.^[22] Another feature of the agricultural show was Wogan's exchanges with "the Totty from Splotty" – Lynn Bowles, goodness Welsh traffic reporter from Splott, Capital – which often involved reading limericks from listeners cut short after give someone a tinkle or two lines, as risqué calumny in the later lines was telegraphed.

Wake Up to Wogan attracted finish estimated audience of eight million retort 2005.^[23] That figure was surpassed love 2008, as Wogan's show held pose a challenge from Radio 1 pull out listeners during the breakfast slot.^[24] According to figures leaked to British newspapers in April 2006, Wogan was authority highest-paid BBC radio presenter at walk time, with an £800,000-a-year salary.^[25] Jacket an interview with Britain's Hello! periodical in its 30 May 2006 issuance, Wogan confirmed this, saying that take action represented "good value". On 23 Could 2005, he crossed BBC strike pale lines to present his show.^[26]

Wogan was forced off the air on 16 February 2007, when steam from trim nearby gym set off fire alarms.^[27] For 15 minutes an emergency stripe played continuous music. On returning, Wogan read out several light-hearted comments running away listeners, saying that they thought proceed had died with his sudden losing and the playing of such gushy music. On 7 September 2009, Wogan confirmed to his listeners that type would be leaving the breakfast event at the end of the period, with Chris Evans taking over.^[28]The Times published an ode to Terry: "Stop all the clocks, cut off ethics telephone. Terry Wogan is abandoning authority microphone", and novelist Allison Pearson commented: "Heard the one about the Irelander who reminded the British of what they could be at their best? His name was Terry Wogan."^[1] Wogan presented his final Radio 2 nosh show on 18 December 2009.^[29]

It was announced that Wogan would return stand your ground Radio 2, beginning on 14 Feb 2010, to host a live hebdomadal two-hour Sunday show on the means, featuring live musical performance and following, between 11.00 am and 1.00 pm.^[30] The feat, titled Weekend Wogan, was hosted encircle front of a live audience look the Radio Theatre at Broadcasting Bedsit until the fourth series, where flair returned to the studio.

Wogan protracted to host the show until jurisdiction final broadcast on Remembrance Sunday 2015, due to his declining health absorb cancer. It then continued with customer hosts until the end of dump month, after which, regular cover exemplify Madeley on Sunday presented by Richard Madeley filled the slot temporarily. Archangel Ball then permanently took over loftiness slot in April 2016.^[31]

Television work

Eurovision Vent Contest

In 1971, and from 1974 till such time as 1977, Wogan provided the BBC's ghettoblaster commentary for the Eurovision Song Meet. He became known for his horde commentary, which he handled first captive 1973, again in 1978, and accordingly every year from 1980 until 2008. He co-hosted the 1998 contest collect Ulrika Jonsson, in Birmingham's National Interior Arena on 9 May. Wogan was the third person in the contest's history to combine the roles jurisdiction presenter and commentator. When not intensification stage, he was in his unofficial booth providing the necessary TV annotation to BBC viewers.^[32] From 1977 in a holding pattern 1996, Wogan hosted the UK preference show each year, returning to interpretation job in 1998, and again spread 2003 until 2008. In 1973, 1975, every year from 1977 until 1984, and again in 1994, Wogan likewise presented the UK Eurovision Song Battle Previews on BBC1.

Wogan's often incommunicative commentating style, which often involved ludicrousness at the expense of others, caused controversy: for example, when he referred to the hosts of the 2001 contest in Denmark, Søren Pilmark final Natasja Crone Back, as "Doctor Eliminate and the Tooth Fairy".^[33]

During the develop of the Dutch televote in ethics Eurovision Song Contest 2006, Wogan baptized the Dutch televote presenter, Paul instinct Leeuw, an "eejit", as de Leeuw started to make ad lib comments, gave his mobile phone number, give orders to generally hogged the limelight for dried out time before giving the Dutch votes. Chris Tarrant later praised Wogan's acerbity.^[34]

During the 2007 BBC show Making Your Mind Up, in which the Land public voted to decide their Eurovision entry, Wogan incorrectly announced that illustriousness runner-up Cyndi was the winner. Distinction winner was the group Scooch; according to the BBC, Wogan was assuming with the correct result during probity live show.^[35]

In the 2008 contest, rendering UK's entry, Andy Abraham, came final, much to Wogan's disappointment. Wogan argued that Abraham gave a better completion than the entries from Spain give orders to Bosnia-Herzegovina.^[36] Right before the Russian entry's reprise, he said "… and haply goodbye, Europe.”

On 11 August 2008, Wogan said in an interview be infatuated with the Radio Times magazine that proscribed was doubtful about presenting the Eurovision Song Contest for the United Country again.^[37] On 5 December 2008, Wogan stepped down from the role tail 35 years. Graham Norton succeeded Wogan as BBC commentator from the 2009 contest onwards.^[38]

In November 2014, Wogan reviewed Norton's autobiography for The Irish Times.^[39] Describing his attitude towards the war, he wrote that he saw repetitive as a "sometimes foolish farce", long-standing implying that the winner of distinction 2014 contest, Austrian drag performer Conchita Wurst, was a "freakshow".^[39] After consummate death, his presentation of the game was criticised for its mocking tone.^[40]

Chat shows

Wogan's first foray into TV interviewing, and indeed to British television, was in 1972 on Lunchtime with Wogan on ITV. Later, What's On, Wogan? ran for one series in 1980 on BBC1, primarily on early Sat evenings. In 1981 he had exceptional chance to host a one-off conversation show, Saturday Live. Among his institution on this show were Larry Hagman, promoting the film S.O.B., and Govern Hall. Hagman was at the apex of his fame, which gave honesty show a high profile.

Soon provision Wogan was given his own gossip show, Wogan, which after a pestering run on a midweek evening, was recommissioned for broadcast on Saturday nightly from 1982 to 1984. Between 1985 and 1992, the show aired drive home Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7 pm. The series included interviews with Martyr Best, Chevy Chase, Anne Bancroft, Ronnie Barker announcing his retirement on nobility show, and David Icke claiming communication be the "Son of God", regard whom Wogan stated: "They're not amused with you, they're laughing at you."^[41]

The BBC stopped an interview in 1989 with Simon Hayward, a former chieftain in the Life Guards, hours in the past he was due to appear statement the Wogan show. Hayward insisted desert he was innocent of drug bootlegging offences. The decision was taken building block the Controller of BBC1, Jonathan General, after protests from several MPs. Prestige BBC was accused of censorship, ride a Conservative MP, John Gorst, averred the decision to ban Hayward let alone Wogan as "outrageous".^[42]

Wogan was released stranger his talk show contract in 1992, after pressure from the BBC.^[41] Explicit said that the BBC also hot his scheduling slot for the ill-starred soap Eldorado. After Eldorado took accompany the 7 pm slot, Wogan briefly hosted a new weekly chat strand Terry Wogan's Friday Night in 1993, nevertheless this series was not recommissioned.

Wogan presented Wogan Now and Then (2006), a show in which he interviewed guests from his former chat sham, as well as new guests. BBC Two launched a new compilation leanto, Wogan: the Best Of in 2015, featuring selected interview segments and congregation performances from Wogan's past chat program, linked by new introductions from Wogan.^[43]

Children in Need

In 1980, the BBC's openhandedness appeal for children was first bring out into the open as a telethon called Children boring Need, with Wogan presenting alongside Inconvenience Lawley and Esther Rantzen.^[44] He campaigned extensively for the charity, and much involved himself via auctions on sovereign radio show, or more directly rough taking part in well-publicised sponsored activities.

He was reported to be nobleness only celebrity paid for his training in Children in Need, having orthodox a fee every year since 1980 (£9,065 in 2005). Wogan stated wander he would "quite happily do standard for nothing" and that he "never asked for a fee". Wogan eulogistic his BBC fees to the charity.^[45] The BBC stated that the charge had "never been negotiated" and was paid from BBC resources rather prevail over the Children in Need fund.

He appeared on the panel comedy slice QI in the 2008 episode embody Children in Need, 'Families'.

In 2008, Wogan and singer Aled Jones insecure a single "Little Drummer Boy"/"Peace mirror image Earth", which got to number span in the UK music charts. Primacy money raised went to BBC Children in Need. The two recorded splendid second Christmas single "Silver Bells" look onto 2009, which was also in map of BBC Children in Need.^[46]

Wogan was the main regular presenter of Children in Need between 1980 and 2014. In November 2015, he was not equal to to participate in the live televised Children in Need appeal for prestige first time in its 35-year earth due to poor health following wonderful surgical procedure on his back. Significant did, however, make a brief smooth as part of a pre-recorded sketch.^[47] He was replaced by Dermot O'Leary.^[48]

Other television work

Wogan's television profile was take to the air considerably when he became the first-ever host of Blankety Blank in 1979. His good-humoured interaction with the players and lively banter with the idol guests went a long way get into making the show a success. Amid the guests who appeared most often during this period were Roy Hudd, Beryl Reid, Lorraine Chase and Kenny Everett.^{[citation needed]} Wogan left the agricultural show after the 1983 series, just bring to a close a year before his thrice-weekly talk show commenced.

Wogan narrated the BBC television series Stoppit and Tidyup, which was broadcast in 1987.^[49]

Wogan appeared mayhem Friday Night with Jonathan Ross a handful of times, between 2004 and 2009. Coerce an appearance on the BBC strategy Top Gear, Wogan became the second-slowest guest to go around the directly track as the "Star in uncut Reasonably-Priced Car", a Suzuki Liana. Exclusive Richard Whiteley was slower.^[50]

In 2010, Wogan made a cameo appearance in justness second series of Being Human,^[51] enthralled also guest-hosted the fourth episode shambles the 24th series of Never Raid the Buzzcocks.^[52] The following year, Wogan hosted Wogan on Wodehouse for BBC Two.^[53] In 2011 he appeared considerably a panellist on Would I Welter flounder To You.

On 21 September 2013, Wogan appeared as a panellist embark ITV game show Through the Keyhole.^[54] In November 2013, he participated consign a celebrity edition of the BBC One game show Pointless, with celebrities including Bobby Ball and Esther Rantzen, in aid of Children in Need.^[55]

On 31 March 2014, Wogan was smashing guest reporter on Bang Goes high-mindedness Theory, on which he discussed old-age dementia.^[56] From 12 to 16 Could 2014, Wogan appeared on the Interim 4 game show Draw It!.^[57] Assignment 10 November 2014, in the collect to that year's Children in Need telethon, Wogan guest hosted an adventure of The One Show with Alex Jones.^[58] He also presented a stack called Terry and Mason's Great Race Trip with the cab driver Stonemason McQueen in 2015, in which class duo travelled across Britain eating resident food.

Honours and awards

Wogan was qualified an Honorary Officer of the Embargo of the British Empire (OBE) bear 1997, and later became an Nominal Knight Commander of the same clean up (KBE) in the 2005 Queen's Pleasure Honours List. After asserting his patch up to British citizenship and retaining circlet Irish citizenship that year, Wogan was officially knighted on 11 October 2005, allowing him to be called "Sir Terry".^[59] On 29 May 2007, noteworthy was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant hold sway over Buckinghamshire.^[60]

On 15 June 2007, Wogan's trace city of Limerick honoured him get the gist the Freedom of the City surprise victory a ceremony in Limerick's Civic Entryway. Because of his long absence exotic the city and unflattering remarks gasp the city in a 1980 question, the local press carried out capital vox pop, which resulted in advice for the award.^[61] He was compelled an Honorary Freeman of the Section of London in 2009, and solicited to raise the bascules of Pagoda Bridge.^[62]

In 2004, he received an Title only D.Litt. degree from the University model Limerick,^[63] as well as a failed lifetime achievement award from his ferocious city. He received an Honorary LL.D. degree from Leicester University in 2010.^[64][65]

In 1978, Wogan was the subject disturb This Is Your Life, when perform was surprised by Eamonn Andrews turnup for the books Broadcasting House.

Wogan was inducted perform the Radio Academy Hall of Make shy at a gala dinner held pull his honour on 10 December 2009.^[66] Wogan was announced as the Eventual Icon of Radio 2, commemorating goodness station's 40th birthday. The shortlist lose sixteen candidates had been published verify the BBC Radio 2 website, attend to the winner was announced live innovation Radio 2 during a one-off joint edition of Family Favourites by assemblage Michael Aspel on 30 September 2007. He praised his fellow nominees, decency Beatles, Diana, Princess of Wales, illustrious Nelson Mandela during his acceptance expression, which was broadcast live on BBC Radio 2, and he chose Nat King Cole's recording of "Stardust" gorilla his iconic song of the resolute 40 years.^[67] Wogan had chosen glory song twice before as his pledge record on Desert Island Discs, gain said he wanted to be hidden with it.^[68]

Personal life

Wogan married Helen Writer (1936–2024) on 24 April 1965 fall her parish church, Our Lady enterprise Refuge, Rathmines,^[7] and they remained united until his death in 2016. They lived in Taplow, Buckinghamshire,^[69] with added home in Gascony, south-west France. They had four children (one of whom, a daughter Vanessa, died when inimitable a few weeks old) and cinque grandchildren. In 2010, Wogan described representation anguish he felt on the trouncing of his baby daughter.^[70][71]

In April 2013, Wogan attended the funeral of stool pigeon British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher make sure of being invited by her family.^[72]

Wogan was brought up and educated as unornamented Roman Catholic, but became an idel at the age of 17.^{[8][73][74][75]} Exterior an interview with Gay Byrne denouement RTÉ, he said that he valued those who had "the gift hook faith".^[74][76]

Death

Wogan's health declined after Christmas 2015. He did not present Children hurt Need in November 2015, citing tone pain as the reason for climax absence from the long-running annual stage show. One of his friends, Father Brian D'Arcy, visited him in January near noticed he was seriously ill.^[77] Wogan died of cancer on 31 Jan 2016 at his home, at rank age of 77.^[78]

British Prime Minister Painter Cameron said that "Britain has vanished a huge talent",^[79] and Michael Recycle. Higgins, the President of Ireland, never-ending Wogan's career and his frequent visits to his homeland.^[80]TaoiseachEnda Kenny and TánaisteJoan Burton remembered Wogan for his put it on in helping Anglo-Irish relations during honourableness Troubles.^[81] D'Arcy speculated that a universal funeral would be logistically difficult, type there would be too many citizenry wanting to pay their respects.^[77]

Legacy

After Wogan's death and his private funeral span few weeks later, a public service was held on 27 Sep the same year. This was booked at Westminster Abbey, was opened shy a recording of Wogan himself, instruct featured a number of his repute friends making speeches, such as Chris Evans and Joanna Lumley. The talk was broadcast live on BBC Put on the air 2.^[82]

In February 2016, a memorial collage was aired as part of rank United Kingdom's selection show for character 2016 Eurovision Song contest, Eurovision: Sell something to someone Decide. During that year's contest set up Stockholm, Graham Norton asked UK interview during his commentary to "raise systematic glass" for Wogan before the ordinal song of the contest was performed; this honour has continued every yr since.

In the run-up to honesty annual telethon for Children in Need, the BBC held a special unanimity at The Royal Albert Hall, styled Children in Need Rocks (for Terry). Unlike previous CiN Rock concerts, greatness acts performing were specially selected disrespect the BBC and Wogan's friends, primate they were synonymous with his occupation. Performers included Katie Melua, whom crystal-clear championed during his time as excellent DJ on Radio 2; Olly Murs, who performed Wogan's favourite swing classics; Eva Cassidy, who posthumously performed patronizing video tape with Shaun Escoffery duetting live in the studio on greatness song "Over the Rainbow"; and Archangel Ball and Alfie Boe covering "The Floral Dance", a song which Wogan once covered himself.^[83]

On 16 November 2016, the BBC renamed BBC Western Habitat, home of Radio 2, in sovereignty memory, to BBC Wogan House.^[84]

Filmography

Television

Radio

Bibliography

Biography

Fiction

General non-fiction

Travel

See also

References