VETERAN Irish broadcaster Terry Wogan has been hailed as a "national treasure" after his death from cancer aged 77.
The DJ and broadcaster, known for his velvety voice on radio and television, was one of Ireland and Britain's best-known personalities.
He will be mostly remembered for his talk show Wogan in the 1980s and 1990s - including a tetchy interview with soccer legend George Best who came on the show drunk - Eurovision, Children In Need, and for his BBC Radio 2 breakfast show Wake Up To Wogan.
A statement said the Limerick-born presenter died surrounded by his family after "a short but brave battle with cancer".
Books of Condolences will open on Monday in his native city from 10am.
Leading figures in showbusiness and politics paid tribute to the Irishman known for his wit and charm, including Irish President Michael D Higgins, Stormont First Minister Arlene Foster, and Prime Minister David Cameron.
Terry Wogan and his wife Helen collected his knighthood from the Queen in 2005.
Wogan 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 issued by the BBC 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."
Wogan's career spanned more than four decades, leaving Ireland and his job at RTÉ where he worked as a newsreader and announcer, to join the BBC in the 1960s.
He was a host on the TV quiz show Blankety Blank and was famous for lampooning 'Auntie Beeb'. He set his sights on former chairman of the corporation Marmaduke Hussey on his Radio 2 show, claiming "Dukie" lived in a cardboard box by the gate. Sir Christopher Bland - another BBC boss - was also a target.
BBC Director General Tony Hall described the Irishman as a "national treasure", adding: "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.
"Wake Up To Wogan was for millions of Radio 2 listeners the very best way to start the day. 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."
Terry Wogan retired from his morning radio show in 2010, but continued to broadcast, returning to his native country for the series, Terry Wogan's Ireland.
Wogan presented spin off shows from Eurovision including one with Sonia, Cheryl Baker, Irish singer Johnny Logan, Phil Jupitus, Mark Lamarr and Irish comedian Shaun Hughes.
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."
President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, said: "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."
Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster said he was a "truly fabulous broadcaster", adding the hashtag #oneofakind.
Boxing champion Barry McGuigan described Wogan as "an amazing man".
So sorry to hear about the death of Sir Terry Wogan. He was legendary for his wit. #oneofakind. pic.twitter.com/Yo0kTeea9z
— Arlene Foster (@DUPleader) January 31, 2016
Some years back Sir TerryWogan myself and @FrBrianDarcy what an amazing man he was in so many ways #Godbegoodtohim pic.twitter.com/11usatjlbY
— Barry McGuigan (@ClonesCyclone) January 31, 2016
Helen Boaden, director at BBC Radio, said Terry Wogan was "a radio legend", while Bob Shennan, controller at Radio 2, said he was "one of the greatest and most popular radio hosts this country has ever heard".
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he will be "missed by millions", while First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon said he was a "broadcasting institution".
Paying tribute to his friend, BBC broadcaster Jeremy Vine quoted a conversation between Wogan and the Queen, during which she asked him how long he had worked at the BBC.
The Irishman replied: "Your Majesty, I've never worked here."
Broadcaster Tony Blackburn thanked Wogan for "being a friend", presenter Dermot O'Leary described him as "just the most warm-hearted, generous, funny, clever, life-affirming man", and Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans added: "We are all so terribly sad upon hearing of the passing of Terry. I can't put into words how the whole Radio 2 family is feeling."
Piers Morgan hailed Wogan as "one of the greatest broadcasters who ever lived", and fellow Irishman Graham Norton said: "He made it seem effortless and for a young boy in Ireland he made it seem possible."
Speaking outside BBC Broadcasting House, Radio 2 DJ Simon Mayo told the Press Association: "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."
Despite Wogan's experience and great reputation Mayo, who first met him covering the 1992 Olympics, said he was the opposite of intimidating.
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."
Councillor Liam Galvin, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick said, "These Books of Condolences afford Limerick people at home and abroad the opportunity to convey their sympathies to the family of the late Terry Wogan, 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. 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," he added.
