Timmy Ryan remembers the Limerickman who left a career in banking to become one of the most famous names in BBC broadcasting, and who sadly left us ten years ago …
On January 31st, 2016, the great Terry Wogan passed away at his home in Taplow, Buckinghamshire, England, having battled prostate cancer for a time. Ireland and his adopted home of England mourned a broadcasting legend, one of the all-time heavyweights of radio and television.
His warm humour and sharp wit matched with a velvet voice made him a household favourite for decades. He was, as he once put it himself, “like an old kettle in the kitchen; a trusted companion”.
Now, a full decade since he died, we look back at his unique talent and legacy.
Michael Terence Wogan was born in Limerick in 1938. His parents Michael and Rose ran a successful grocery business. Growing up, he showed signs of having showbiz talent and excelled on stage in school and local musical productions.
Schooldays were not joyous. The Jesuit priests of Crescent College left their mark with regular beatings. He described Crescent as being, “run on a diet of study, rugby, prayer and punishment”. Despite the harshness it failed to crush his spirit.
On leaving school Terry found himself in the world of banking. This was a brief dalliance and when the national broadcaster RTÉ advertised for new talent the future superstar duly answered the call.
Acquiring a news reading position, he quit the allure of high finance.
His star would rise promptly at RTÉ and the youthful Wogan was offered work as a broadcast DJ and it wasn’t long before he was on the telly presenting a popular show called Jackpot.
His personal life changed too. He married the lovely Helen in 1965. They were devoted and he would often humorously refer to her over the years as “the current Mrs. Wogan”. Terry and Helen were living in Dublin when the BBC came calling.
Terry was offered a six-week gig presenting the BBC’s Light Programme in 1966 and soon he was offered more work in the UK. He kept his home in Dublin and commuted every Tuesday to London for, Late Night Extra.
A major break came when Terry had to stand in for the popular Jimmy Young while the star was on holiday. Terry was an instant hit.
Impressing the listeners and top brass alike, he was rewarded with the coveted Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 in 1969. A much sought after role, there was no choice but to relocate to England.
His lively banter won him a massive audience of early risers. With his gift of natural charm and good humour, he made it all look so easy. Behind the microphone, he exuded a friendly, unflappable style that put punters at ease.
Another radio great, Tony Blackburn, opined that his audience listened for Terry, not the music, and recording artist and friend, Aled Jones, remarked that you just never knew what he was going to say next.
Terry Wogan owned the mornings on BBC Radio 2. He had become box office gold. No surprise then that television was the next logical step.
Continue reading in this week’s Ireland’s Own
