Sir Terry Wogan’s life will be celebrated in a special event at Westminster Abbey, the BBC has announced.
The veteran broadcaster, known for his velvety voice on radio and television, died of cancer on January 31 aged 77.
Sir Terry Wogan (Katie Collins/PA)
Limerick-born Sir Terry, one of the UK and Ireland’s most famous stars, was hailed as a “national treasure” following his death.
The BBC press office tweeted:
A Service of Thanksgiving for Sir Terry Wogan will take place at Westminster Abbey on 27 September. Further details in due course.
— BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) May 9, 2016
Leading figures in showbusiness and politics paid tribute to the much-loved personality, with Prime Minister David Cameron saying he was “someone millions came to feel was their own special friend”.
He was last on air on BBC Radio 2 on November 8, and days later was forced to pull out of presenting Children In Need at the last minute due to health issues.
Pudsey Bear and Terry Wogan pose for BBC Children In Need (BBC)
Sir Terry has already been remembered in a special edition of Songs Of Praise.
He had spoken in recent years about not believing in God after the death of his three-week-old daughter Vanessa in 1966.
Meanwhile, last month a Eurovision boss said Sir Terry “totally spoiled Eurovision” by mocking acts in his commentary.
Eurovision Song Contest winner Katrina and compere Terry Wogan (David Jones/PA)
He was accused of creating a generation of Britons who see the show as irrelevant and “kitsch” by Christer Bjorkman, the Swedish producer of this year’s contest, who said he would “never” have given him the job.
The Scandinavian country is known for its earnest Eurovision entries and has won six times with contributions that went on to become smash hits, from Waterloo by Abba in 1974 to Euphoria by Loreen in 2012.
Sir Terry first fronted the BBC’s Eurovision coverage in 1971, and his stinging commentary proved to be one of the many highlights of his career.
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