Surrounded by his family in a 'desperately sad scene', Sir Terry Wogan held prayers with his long-term friend and priest who flew over from Ireland to be at his bedside in his final dying days.

Sir Terry, a veteran broadcaster and 'national treasure', passed away aged 77 today following a 'short but brave' battle with cancer which he kept secret from everyone except his close family.

The much-loved radio host and television presenter, who celebrated 50 years in broadcasting this year, was said to have fallen 'very ill' rather quickly and died while surrounded by his family.

Following his death, Priest Brian D'Arcy, who knew Sir Terry for 40 years and presented Pause for Thought on his breakfast show for nearly 20 years, said he saw the much-loved star on Thursday.

He said the pair had a 'family day' during which they held prayers and said their goodbyes, which suggests Sir Terry knew his death was rather imminent.

He said the broadcaster was 'very ill' and described his death as a 'sad but beautiful occasion'.

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Veteran broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan has died aged 77 following a short battle with cancer, his family said today. This is the last photograph thought to have been taken in public of the presenter. He is pictured with his wife Helen outside the BBC Radio 2 studios after appearing on the Terry Wogan Show on November 8

Prime Minister David Cameron, Radio DJ Tony Blackburn and Piers Morgan all paid tribute to Sir Terry today

Speaking on BBC Radio 2 this morning, Father D'Arcy said: 'I was with Terry on Thursday to say goodbye. I'm glad he went without a long, lingering illness.

'It was a short enough illness at the end of the day for him. He came across it very suddenly, but he was such a man for a laugh.'

He added that Sir Terry - a self-declared atheist who was brought up Catholic - prayed with him during a 'desperately sad scene' in his final days.

'All the family were there,' he said. 'Everyone was trying to make Terry as comfortable as he could be and we knew it wouldn't be long.

'In fact I dreaded that by the time I got back off the plane at home that he would have gone to his eternal reward.'

He added that Sir Terry 'really was a total family man', and his death would be 'awfully, awfully sad' for his wife, Lady Helen, who he had four children with.

'He was one of the most thorough, educated, friendly, charitable gentlemen that I've ever met,' Father D'Arcy said.

Priest Brian D'Arcy, who knew Sir Terry for 40 years, spent last Thursday holding prayers with him after flying over from Ireland to be at his bedside

'Everything revolved around Helen, who was the centre of his life. They were married for over 50 years. Anyone who ever went to the Wogan household understands there are no pictures of stars around the walls of his house.

'The living room is festooned with pictures of children young and old, grandchildren, family gatherings, food, together round a table, weddings, baptisms, all of those things surround the walls of his entire house.

'The family was the centre of his life and everything revolved around the happiness of Helen and the family.'

'They will be awfully, awfully sad... Relieved, though, that his suffering is over.'

It came as friends and former colleagues expressed their shock at Sir Terry's death, after he kept his battle with cancer a secret from almost everyone except his close family and priest.

Richard Madeley, who had been sitting in for Sir Terry on Radio 2, said 'none of us saw this coming', adding that he expected to see the veteran presenter back working early next month.

Sir Terry had expressed his desire to continue working for the 'next decade' in an interview as recent as September, but fears began to grow over his health after he pulled out presenting Children in Need in November.

It was the first time he hadn't hosted the charity fundraiser for 35 years. Around the same time, he disappeared from his weekly BBC Radio 2 show, Weekend Wogan, which airs on Sunday mornings.

Floral tributes were left outside Sir Terry's home in Taplow, Buckinghamshire, today (pictured. He has lived at the property with his wife, Lady Helen, since the 1970s and brought his children up at the sprawling property

Well-wishers placed flowers outside the large black gate at the entrance to the family home in Taplow, Bucks

Neighbours of the couple said they kept a low-profile but were always pleasant. Pictured: Flowers for Sir Terry

Artist Darren Birdie created this image in memory of Sir Terry today. Sharing it on Twitter, he said: 'Such sad news to hear of the loss of Terry Wogan. A broadcasting legend who helped lighten many people's lives. RIP'

Fearne Cotton, who presented Children in Need with Sir Terry on several occasions, left a touching tribute

A POIGNANT FINAL SPEECH: 'THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR BEING MY FRIEND' 'Thank you for being my friend': Sir Terry Wogan's final speech on his BBC Radio 2 breakfast show Sir Terry Wogan gave an emotional 'goodbye' speech when he left his BBC Radio 2 breakfast show, Wake Up With Wogan, in December 2009. The words seem even more poignant today. 'This is it, then. This is the day I have been dreading - the inevitable morning when you and I come to the parting of the ways, the last Wake Up To Wogan. 'It wasn't always thus. For the first 12 years it was the plain old Terry Wogan Show and you were all Twits, the Terry Wogan is Tops Society. 'When I returned to the bosom of our family, it became Wake Up To Wogan and you all became TOGs, Terry's Old Geezers and Gals. 'It's always been a source of enormous pride to me that you have come together in my name, that you are proud to call yourself my listeners, that you think of me as a friend, someone that you are close enough to laugh with, to poke fun at and occasionally, when the world seemed just a little too cruel, to shed a tear with. 'And the years together with you have not only been a pleasure but a privilege. You have allowed me to share your lives with you. When you tell me how important I have been in your lives it's very moving. You have been every bit as important in mine. 'We have been though at least a couple of generations together, for many of you - your children, like mine, now have children of their own. And your support for Children In Need has been consistent and magnificent. You've baked the bakes, you've held the quizzes, you've sold the calendars, you've packed the CDs and the DVDs. You've answered the phones - always there when we've called on you, unheralded and unsung. And if anybody embodies the generous, warm spirit of this country it's you, my listeners. 'I am not going to pretend that this is not a sad day - you can probably hear it in my voice. I am going to miss the laughter and the fun of our mornings together. I know you are going to welcome Chris Evans with the same generosity of spirit that you have always shown me. 'So, I am going to miss you, until we are together again in February, have a happy Christmas. 'Thank you, thank you for being my friend.' - Sir Terry Wogan Advertisement

Stars around the world paid tribute to the 'warm, witty' entertainer following the news of his death.

Sir Terry charmed the nation with his wry, rambling thoughts on life on his long-running BBC breakfast show, while also hosting annual shows such as Children in Need and Eurovision.

His daily Radio 2 show 'Waking Up With Wogan' achieved the biggest and most loyal audience at the time, while he quickly became the face of Children in Need after hosting for 35 years - helping to raise a staggering £600million for the cause.

Former colleagues described him as 'welcoming and generous', branding him a 'radio genius' who was also a 'total family man'.

In a statement released this morning, his family 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.'

Britain has lost a huge talent - someone millions came to feel was their own special friend Prime Minister David Cameron

Leading the tributes, BBC director general Tony Hall described him as 'truly a national treasure'.

He added: 'Today we've lost a wonderful friend. He was a lovely, lovely man and our thoughts are with his wife and family.

'For 50 years Sir Terry graced our screens and airwaves. His warmth, wit and geniality meant that for millions he was a part of the family.

'For decades he's been such a huge part of the BBC on television and radio and leaves so many wonderful memories.

'At the centre of Children In Need since its beginning he raised hundreds of millions of pounds and changed so many lives for the better. He leaves a remarkable legacy.'

Paying tribute to the 77-year-old outside Broadcasting House in central London just hours after news of his death broke, Drive Time presenter Simon Mayo described him as a 'radio genius'.

He first met Sir Terry covering the 1992 Olympics, and recalled his ability to put people at ease.

He said: 'He was warm, funny, welcoming, generous. You would think 'Oh my goodness, it's Sir Terry' and then as soon as you met him he'd offer you a biscuit and some cold curry that had been brought in the night before. I've worked with intimidating broadcasters and Terry wasn't that.'

He added: 'I think people are shocked and stunned because of the fact that he was a radio genius. The staple of all great radio is the friend behind the microphone and he was the ultimate friend behind the microphone.'

Veteran broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan has died aged 77 following a short battle with cancer, his family said

Sir Terry Wogan and Gaby Roslin are pictured with Pudsey the Bear ahead of Children in Need in 1997

Gary Linekar, Chris Moyles and Jonathan Ross all paid tribute to the iconic broadcaster on Twitter today

Broadcaster Henry Kelly expressed his shock at the death of his long-time friend who he thought simply had a 'bad back', and said his passing would be felt across Britain like a death in the family.

His partner Kaorlyn Shindler broke the news to him as he returned home from Mass this morning.

'It's a shock and a shame,' said the Game For A Laugh and Going For Gold presenter.

'I didn't know he was that seriously ill. I knew he'd been told not to do Children In Need because, as he quipped himself, they don't want an 'oul fella of 77 standing up for ten hours asking for money.''

Mr Kelly grew up among the Wogan family under the watchful eye of Sir Terry's mother Rose - 'known affectionately as Mammy Wogan' - after first becoming good friends with his younger brother Brian at Belvedere College in Dublin.

He later followed Sir Terry to Britain and into a career in broadcasting. 'It is a real, real shame,' he said from his home in Hampstead.

'For so many people in this country, it is going to be like a death in the family - they adored Wogan.

'They didn't care whether or not he was or wasn't a professional broadcaster, he was just Terry Wogan.'

'I can't speak highly enough of him. I think it is a terrible loss.'

Prime Minister David Cameron also paid tribute to the Limerick-born broadcaster, who charmed the nation on both radio and television.

He said on Twitter: 'My thoughts are with Terry Wogan's family. Britain has lost a huge talent - someone millions came to feel was their own special friend.'

He added: 'I grew up listening to him on the radio and watching him on tv. His charm and wit always made me smile.'

As well as his long-running stint presenting Children in Need, Sir Terry was also the face of the Eurovision Song Contest for a period. He is pictured with Gina G who represented the UK with 'Just a Little Bit' in 1996

Sir Terry, who died surrounded by his family today following a secret cancer battle, is pictured in 1974

Sir Terry, pictured leaving the BBC Radio 2 studios after recording his final breakfast show in December 2009

President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, added: 'I have heard with sadness of the death of Terry Wogan, one of the great figures of broadcasting.

'His was a distinguished contribution to television and in particular to the medium of radio.

'People in Ireland will remember his early career in Irish broadcasting. On his move to Britain his voice became one of the most often quoted, favourite radio voices.

'Always proud of his origins in Limerick, he made many returns to his native country for television and radio projects.

'His rise to the top of radio listenership in the United Kingdom was a great tribute to his breadth of knowledge and in particular his unique, very personal sense of humour.'

SIR TERRY BECOMES LATEST STAR TO SUCCUMB TO CANCER BATTLE The death of Sir Terry today comes following the loss of three other iconic stars within the last month. Singer David Bowie, actor Alan Rickman and rockstar Ian 'Lemmy' Kilmister all passed away recently following secret cancer battles. Sir Terry died after a 'short but brave' battle with cancer, his family said. He had chosen to keep his illness secret from the public eye. His death echoes that of David Bowie, who died from liver cancer in New York, aged 69, on January 10. The musical genius had known his cancer was incurable for around a year before his death, but only told close friends and relatives. Just days after Bowie's death, Harry Potter star and much-loved actor Alan Rickman died. The 69-year-old, who was also known for his roles in films such as Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Die Hard, was another to keep his battle with cancer secret from the public, and died unexpectedly on January 14. It came less than two weeks after the death of Ian 'Lemmy' Kilmister, of Motörhead. The 70-year-old was told on Boxing Day that he had an aggressive form of cancer, and died from the disease 48 hours later at his Los Angeles home. Advertisement

Piers Morgan described Sir Terry as 'one of the greatest broadcasters who ever lived', while DJ Tony Blackburn added: 'I can hardly believe my old friend Sir Terry Wogan has died. RIP Terry and thanks for being a friend.'

Former colleagues at the BBC also paid tribute to the 'radio legend', who was one of the UK and Ireland's best known stars.

Helen Boaden, director at BBC Radio, said: 'For decades, he gave great pleasure to radio listeners with his wit, warmth and inimitable humour. He was an extraordinary broadcaster but also incredibly good fun, and will be sorely missed.'

Bob Shennan, controller at Radio 2, said he made meeting Sir Terry his first priority when he took over the station seven years ago.

He said: 'I thought the first thing I ought to do is go and see Terry. He was just such a welcoming, warm, generous person. Instantly I felt I'd just really lucked out doing this job to be perfectly honest.

'I realised what sort of a man he was, and that was the man I'd seen and heard in television and radio.'

He described him as a natural when it came to radio, and recalled fellow presenter Jeremy Vine's shock when Sir Terry turned up five minutes before a show one day having done no preparation.

Mr Shennan said: 'The thing about Terry was that he really didn't go into a lot of preparation for his programme. He fed off the audience. He didn't pre-judge what it would be about that day.

'Jeremy said to Terry 'How are you going to prepare for everything, have you done all your prep for that?' And Terry said 'No, I'll just get out of the lift and I'll wander into the studio. I'll open the microphone and we'll see what people have got to say.'

'And that was how he did it. And it was why he was so good.'

He added: '[He] established himself as one of the greatest and most popular radio hosts this country has ever heard.

'We were brightened by his wonderful personality and charm as he woke us up every weekday morning, becoming an essential and much-loved part of our lives.

'His millions of listeners adored him, as did his whole Radio 2 family. We will miss him enormously and our thoughts at this very sad time are with Helen and all the family.'

In the last photograph he posted on Twitter, Sir Terry posed with Shane Filan, of Westlife fame, and Nadine Coyle, who was part of girlband Girls Aloud. It was taken after they were interviewed on his BBC Radio 2 show

Sir Terry received a knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2005 (pictured outside Buckingham Palace, left). Right: Sir Terry is pictured with his wife Helen, who he married in 1965, at Royal Ascot

Sir Terry is pictured meeting Her Majesty The Queen during a reception at Buckingham Palace in March 2005

Tributes have poured in for the broadcasting legend on social media from a host of stars and presenters

Tributes also poured in from the world of showbusiness and beyond for the broadcasting great, who received a knighthood for his work in the 2005 Queen's Honours.

Sir Bruce Forsyth said in a statement: 'Terry was such a great broadcaster and part of our lives for so many years. He will be much missed.'

Tess Daly, who previously presented Children in Need with Sir Terry, said: 'So so sad at the news Sir Terry has passed away.He was the funniest, kindest man, it was a huge privilege to work with him and a joy to know him.

'Terry was a true gentleman on and off camera. He never stopped working tirelessly for charity. A legend is lost. My thoughts are with his family.'

Chris Evans, who took over from Sir Terry after he left BBC Radio 2, said: 'We are all so terribly. I can't put into words how the whole Radio 2 family is feeling.'

Phillip Schofield added: 'Waking up to the very sad news that Sir Terry Wogan has died. Such a very charming man & a great broadcaster. Sending love to his family.'

Pop star Sir Elton John paid tribute by posting a photograph of him and Sir Terry on Instagram, with the caption: 'Such a special and funny man. A brilliant broadcaster and presenter. He came to our civil partnership celebration and was a loyal supporter. Love to his family. E xxxx.'

Fawlty Towers star John Cleese paid a simple tribute, acknowledging Sir Terry's popularity.

He tweeted: 'I remember one morning driving to work, and at a red light I looked around and all the other drivers were laughing. Terry was on the radio.'

DJ Lauren Laverne said: 'Oh, man. RIP Sir Terry Wogan. Broadcasting hero', while Julian Clary said: 'RIP Terry Wogan. A witty, warm and wonderful man.'

Richard Osman, of TV's Pointless, said: 'So sad about Sir Terry Wogan. What a wonderful, clever, funny man. Did nothing but make the world a happier place.'

Cricketer Ian Botham wrote: 'Very sad to hear the news about Sir Terry Wogan passing away this morning !! A wonderful man just the same rain or shine !! RIP', while actor Sir Roger Moore added: 'Oh no. It's a sad weekend. BBC News - Sir Terry Wogan: Veteran broadcaster dies aged 77.'

And English actor David Schneider said: 'It's truly like God's put an intern in charge of deaths and he's going through the list of celebrities people really love. RIP Terry Wogan.'

Most people were unaware Sir Terry had been secretly battling cancer, with only close friends and family told

Stars from the world of showbiz have come together today to pay tribute to the 'maestro' that is Sir Terry

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.'

Vine also quoted a conversation between Sir Terry and the Queen, during which she asked him how long he had worked at the BBC. Sir Terry replied: 'Your Majesty, I've never worked here.'

He added on Twitter: 'Truly one of the greatest we have ever seen. And treated his colleagues like friends.'

Meanwhile, Clare Balding wrote: 'Devastated about Terry Wogan. Grew up listening to him & have been privileged to know & work with him. Warm, generous and supremely talented.'

Noel Edmonds said: 'He mastered broadcasting's greatest challenge - to be admired and respected by public and peers alike - a true master has gone.'

And actor Matt Lucas said: 'So so sad to hear the news today about Terry Wogan. Warm, traditional and yet brilliantly subversive. A true TV and radio icon. What a loss.'

Sir Terry was visited by close friends on Thursday, who said 'goodbye' to him, before his death this morning

Radio DJ Chris Evans, who took over from Sir Terry after he left BBC Radio 2, said: 'We are all so terribly. I can't put into words how the whole Radio 2 family is feeling.' The pair are pictured together in December 2009

Sir Terry is pictured during an appearance on a Strictly Come Dancing special for Children in Need

THE FACE OF CHILDREN IN NEED: SIR TERRY DEDICATED LIFE TO THE CAUSE Sir Terry Wogan dedicated his time to Children in Need, becoming the charity's life president in 2010 Sir Terry Wogan's warm and gentle style provided the bedrock for Children in Need for more than three decades as it amassed hundreds of millions of pounds for charities. Despite his advancing years he fronted the gruelling six-and-a-half hour telethon for 35 years alongside an ever-changing supporting cast of household stars. His ever-present record only ended in November when surgery on his back saw him drop out at the last minute on the advice of doctors, to be replaced by Dermot O'Leary. Sir Terry was a trustee of the Children in Need charity for many years, before becoming its life president in November 2010. Children in Need's chief executive David Ramsden said: 'Sir Terry Wogan has been at the heart of the charity for over 30 years raising millions to change the lives of children. 'We have lost a wonderful friend and we will miss him so much. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.' O'Leary tweeted on Sunday: 'Sir Terry. Just the most warm hearted, generous, funny, clever, life affirming man. Part of the foundations of @BBCRadio2 so very sad.' Gaby Roslin, who co-presented Children in Need alongside Sir Terry for more than a decade, tweeted: 'No no no! In total shock. Goodbye my cheeky chum. Forever in our hearts.' What would become Sir Terry's final show as a presenter in 2014 saw it raise a then record total of more than £32million. The star-studded marathon effort featured One Direction, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and the cast of EastEnders. He presented alongside a younger generation of BBC stars including Tess Daly, Nick Grimshaw, Fearne Cotton and Rochelle Humes from the pop group The Saturdays. Grimshaw said: 'So sad to hear about Sir Terry, what a man! Funny, sharp, warm, inspiring and so much fun to be around. We'll miss him. rest in peace.' Humes added: 'Such a sad day today. The loss of such a legend...had the pleasure of being around such a warm welcoming person. Such a inspiration..' Advertisement

Fears had been raised over Sir Terry's health after he pulled out of presenting Children in Need in mid-November. The grandfather-of-five and father-of-four had been off work since then and had rarely been seen in public.

Doctors advised him not to front the six-and-a-half-hour charity fundraiser, so that he could recover from a 'procedure on his back'. He had been the face of the annual broadcast since it began in 1980.

Announcing he had pulled out of the BBC show at the time, he said in a statement: 'I'm going to miss our wonderful, inspiring evening together, but I'll be with you, watching, cheering and donating.'

Around the same time, Sir Terry disappeared from his weekly BBC Radio 2 show, Weekend Wogan. Television presenter Richard Madeley has been standing in for him.

Sir Terry did not give a reason for his long absence, and had not posted anything on Twitter in three months - which further sparked alarm among listeners.

Friends of the 77-year-old previously said he had been keeping a low profile but he had planned to return to work - perhaps suggesting he did not realise how advanced his cancer was.

His agent confirmed earlier this month that the Irish presenter would be returning to the airwaves after all, and that the details would be confirmed in due course.

She added that the reasons for Sir Terry's absence were 'a personal issue'.

Concerns had been raised over the veteran broadcaster's health after he pulled out of Children in Need

Sir Terry is pictured sampling an oyster at a reception at Scott's restaurant in London in September 1973

The much-loved television presenter is pictured presenting Lunchtime with Wogan in October 1972

Sir Terry is pictured in the BBC Radio 2 studios at Broadcasting House in London in August 1976

Neighbours and friends of the star spoke of their shock and sadness today, as they placed floral tributes outside his family home in Taplow, Buckinghamshire.

Residents of the small village, where Sir Terry had lived with his wife since the 1970s, said they had no idea he was suffering from cancer.

Ian Burne, the landlord of the village's public house the Oak and Saw, said: 'Everyone's very sad because he lived just around the corner. It's terrible, everyone thinks it's such a shame.

'We would see his wife Helen around in the village and often see him in his Rolls Royce coming out of his house.

'MOST REMARKABLE EUROVISION COMMENTATOR IN HISTORY' Sir Terry Wogan was the best commentator in Eurovision Song Contest history, the organisation said today. Sir Terry helmed the BBC's coverage from 1973 to 2008 and became known for his cutting commentary and deadpan one-liners. He finally got a chance to present the programme proper in 1998, taking to the stage alongside Ulrika Jonsson in Birmingham. He eventually hung up his microphone after Andy Abraham's song Even If came 25th ten years later, upset at the tactical voting which has become synonymous with the show. He was replaced by Irishman Graham Norton. A Eurovision spokesman said: 'We are deeply saddened by the passing of Terry Wogan. He was without doubt the most remarkable Eurovision commentator in history.' Norton added: 'He made it seem effortless and for a young boy in Ireland he made it seem possible. RIP Sir Terry Wogan. I'll raise a glass during song 9.' Advertisement

'Nobody had any idea he was suffering from cancer. It must have been very quick. With so many well-known people dying suddenly recently, you think, 'what's going on?'

Friend Nigel Smales said: 'When I last saw him, Terry didn't look anything other than Terry. None of the village grapevine had mentioned that he wasn't well.

'The last time I spoke to him would have been the first week in November - it was the week before Children In Need. At that time he was still intending to do Children In Need and I was surprised at news he had a back problem.

'He was what he was on television. He came across as a nice guy. He recognised he could talk well and entertainingly and made a living out of it.

'When you would speak to him it was just like bumping into a neighbour and chatting about the weather.

'He was a good neighbour. They tended to keep themselves to themselves in the recent past. Everybody respected their privacy - you didn't push that.

'When they first came and their children were younger they were very much involved with things. He was very involved at the cricket club in organising charity cricket matches and using his contacts to do it.

'He and Helen didn't lord it around the village, they were very, very pleasant when I spoke to either of them.'

An elderly woman walking through the village added: 'It all seems so sudden, I think that's the saddest thing - I don't think anybody realised he was ill.

'It's terribly sad. He was such a lovely man - exactly how he was on the radio.'

His death comes following the passing of both David Bowie and Alan Rickman this month, who both died following secret cancer battles.

Sir Terry was well-loved within the entertainment industry. He is pictured (from left) with former EastEnders actress Wendy Richard, the late Cilla Black, presenter Esther Rantzen, Prince Charles and Nicholas Parsons

Sir Terry is pictured at the BBC Radio 2 studios in London in January 2005. He died today aged 77

The veteran broadcaster is pictured at the BBC studios in Manchester in an undated picture from his career

BOOK OF CONDOLENCES TO BE OPENED IN SIR TERRY'S HOME CITY Sir Terry Wogan's home city is opening a book of condolences to allow citizens to mark the passing of a 'true son of Limerick'. The legendary broadcaster regularly returned to his home town and was honoured as Freeman of the city in 2007. City leaders confirmed separate books of condolences will be opened at council buildings in Dooradoyle and Merchants Quay tomorrow morning to allow the public express their loss. Limerick Mayor Liam Galvin said the books will allow people at home and abroad convey their sympathies to the family of 'a true son of Limerick and a broadcasting institution whose passing will be mourned by millions'. 'Despite his fame and the fact that he was based in the UK throughout much of his career, Sir Terry often returned home to Limerick and never missed an opportunity on radio or TV to speak about his Limerick roots,' he said. 'The council honoured him with the title of Freeman of Limerick in 2007, which I know was a title that meant very much to him and his family. 'On behalf of the council and the people of Limerick, I wish to extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to Sir Terry's family.' On receiving the freedom of his native city nine years ago, Sir Terry said he felt honoured and privileged as he had such an affection for his birthplace. 'I have nothing but the happiest memories of Limerick and I was very proud when I watched O'Connell Street full of people when the Munster rugby team won the Heineken Cup,' he said. Advertisement

As recently as September, Sir Terry had said that he planned to work for at least another decade.

'I'd love to keep going for another 10 years, I'll cling to the wreckage for as long as I can,' he told the Daily Record.

'I'm supposed to be retiring, but I'm not. I have no plans to retire – they'll have to carry me off stage,' he said.

In the same interview, Sir Terry admitted that he and his wife Helen tend to drink too much, 'in common with every other middle class person our age'.

'Of course you shouldn't drink every day, I'm not advocating people drinking, but the fact is that, yes, I have a glass of wine with my dinner and I may have a dry martini before my dinner.

'When you get to a certain age you think, 'How much longer have I got to have a dry martini?' So you've got to make the most of it.

'I make a wonderful dry martini and an excellent champagne cocktail, with a cube of sugar, bitters and Cointreau. It's delicious,' he said.

The presenter, who used to front the Eurovision Song Contest, was famous for having a tipple throughout the evening.

Sir Terry is pictured with left his wife Helen last November, and right leaving the BBC studios on October 6

Richard Madeley, right, paid tribute to Sir Terry outside BBC Broadcasting House in central London today and played some of his favourite songs on air. Left, Sir Terry presenting Children In Need with Tess Daley in 2012

FROM POPULAR BREAKFAST SHOW TO CHILDREN IN NEED: WOGAN'S HIGHS Sir Terry Wogan enjoyed a glittering career spanning more than four decades. Here are 10 of his CV highlights: Sir Terry's first taste of television came when he began working at Irish broadcaster RTE where he was a newsreader and announcer. He moved on to become a DJ and hosted quiz and variety shows. Making the move to the BBC, he hosted a mid-'60s programme called Midday Spin and later began working on the Late Night Extra slot on Radio 1 - a job which he travelled back and forth from Dublin for. A big break came when he provided holiday cover for Sir Jimmy Young, which went so well that it resulted in him getting his own show. He got the afternoon show - which was broadcast simultaneously on Radio 1 and 2. Millions of people woke up to his Irish brogue during the 27 years he presented his BBC Radio 2 breakfast show. Listeners enjoyed his commentary on light-hearted and serious issues each day, and his announcement in September 2009 that he would be quitting the show was met with an outcry from devoted fans. Sir Terry's commentary at the Eurovision Song Contest made for an amusing listen, as he spoke - often quite honestly - about the variety of acts vying for the title. The contest, which tends to feature many songs that do not enjoy commercial success, was made all the more entertaining by Sir Terry's sometimes stinging narration. He gave the role up in 2008. He was very much a TV star as well as a radio veteran. He fronted the long-running panel show Blankety Blank, complete with his famous 'wand' microphone, and appeared as a guest on shows including Celebrity Squares and New Faces. Sir Terry will always be known for his association with the BBC's Children In Need. He was one of the founders and hosted the telethon for more than 20 years, helping to raise more than £400 million for charity. He missed last November's appeal at the last minute on the advice of doctors following a procedure on his back. Sir Terry returned to Radio 2 in 1993, and his popularity and worth to the BBC was accompanied by one of the Corporation's biggest presenter salaries, said to be around £800,000. He saw his audience pass the eight million mark in 2005. On hearing the news, he joked: 'Hang on, there's 60 million people in the country - what are the other 52 million listening to?' An accomplished star of TV and radio, Sir Terry tried his hand at singing too and had a novelty hit single in 1978 when he released a version of the Floral Dance. Advertisement

The bank clerk who became the King of Breakfast: How Sir Terry became one of Britain's biggest stars with a velvet brogue and wry take on life

By Alexander Robertson

Sir Michael Terence Wogan was born in Limerick City in Ireland on August 3, 1938, the son of the grocery store manager.

He was educated at a Jesuit school called Crescent College from the age of eight and experienced a strong religious upbringing.

He later moved to Dublin when he was 15, attending Belvedere College, where he first discovered his love for music and amateur dramatics.

Despite his new found interests, Wogan began a career as a banker at the Royal Bank of Ireland in 1956, but he soon gave it up to join Ireland's national broadcaster RTE as a newsreader and announcer.

Sir Terry Wogan is pictured after receiving his honorary degree from Leicester University in July 2010

Sir Terry's breakfast show, with his velvet voice and wry thoughts on life, achieved the UK's biggest audience

He married Helen Joyce in 1965, which would eventually lead to four children and five grandchildren.

He later moved into light entertainment on radio, becoming a disk jockey and the host of shows such as RTE's top rated quiz show Jackpot.

His first work with the BBC came in 1969 on the Light Programme, before moving to the Late Night Extra show on BBC Radio 1, commuting weekly from Dublin to London.

He proved himself during a stint as holiday cover for Sir Jimmy Young, and was rewarded with his own show. He landed the afternoon show - which was broadcast simultaneously on Radios 1 and 2 in those days - and then from April 1972, he was given the Radio 2 morning show, soon achieving listening figures of up to 7.6million.

His BBC Radio 2 breakfast show, with his velvet voice and his wry, rambling thoughts on life, achieved the UK's biggest and most loyal audience.

Sir Terry Wogan pictured after he was given a knighthood at an investiture at Buckingham Palace in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2005

Millions of early-morning listeners tuned in to hear his gentle and witty commentary on the affairs of the day, both trivial and momentous. It was all delivered in a soft Irish brogue, sometimes cutting but never malicious. He put a smile on the faces of countless people at their breakfast tables.

He would leave the show 12 years later to pursue a full-time career in television, having become synonymous with his TV commentary of the Eurovision Song Contest, taking part every year from 1980 until 2008.

Those outside his loyal circle of listeners probably had no idea what a TOG (Terry's Old Gits and Gals) was, or the significance of Deadly, Boggy or the 'Totty from Splotty', but to his dedicated audience of eight million, they were all part of the Wogan lexicon.

In 1980, the BBC's charity appeal from children was first broadcast as a telethon called Children in Need, with Wogan continuing to serve as a presenter of the annual show up until 2015.

His first chat show would come in 1982, simply called Wogan, with memorable interviews including a drunk George Best and a silent Chevy Chase.

The chat show Wogan would run until 1992, but its star returned in 2006 to present Wogan Now and Then, interviewing former guests from his old chat show as well as new ones.

Sir Terry returned to Radio 2 in 1993, and his popularity and worth to the BBC was accompanied by one of the Corporation's biggest presenter salaries, said to be around £800,000.

His easy-going manner on-air and his cheery natters with colleagues also made his studio team part of his listeners' extended family with his late producer Paul Walters and newsreaders 'Deadly' Alan Dedicoat, Fran Godfrey and John 'Boggy' Marsh all part of the Wogan experience.

His final breakfast show came on December 18, 2009, but he returned to Radio 2 a year later to host a live weekly two-hour Sunday show.

Wogan was appointed an Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1997 and elevated to an Honorary Knight Commander of the same order (KBE) in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2005.

The national treasure passed away today after a short battle with cancer, at the age of 77.

Sir Terry Wogan and his wife Helen with their baby daughter Katherine at three weeks old, and their sons Alan, five (right), and Mark, two, in September 1972. Friends of the star said today he was a 'real family man'

Sir Terry (back), winner of the Old Court Whisky TV Personality of the Year Award, with three other winners Kenny Everett (left), Ernie Wise (right), and Frank Bough, in 1981

Gloria Hunniford and Sir Terry are pictured left in 1981, while he is pictured right working as a DJ in 1969

Sir Terry charmed the nation with his velvet voice and wry, rambling thoughts on life. His final breakfast show came in December 2009, but he returned to Radio 2 a year later to host a live weekly two-hour Sunday show