Sir Terry Wogan kept his cancer a secret from everyone except his immediate family because, according to friends, he “didn’t want to make a fuss”.
The broadcasting legend died yesterday after a “short but brave battle” against the disease.
But the 77-year-old kept his illness a secret and preferred to tell friends and colleagues that he had back problems.
Henry Kelly, a friend and broadcaster colleague, said: “It’s a real shame. For so many people it will be like a death in the family – they adored Wogan.
“I didn’t know he was so seriously ill. He always said he had back problems.
“I can’t say enough good things about him. I think it’s a terrible loss.”
“He said he would not Children in Need because, as he joked, ‘You don’t want a 77-year-old old guy standing there for ten hours asking for money.'”
Even Richard Madeley, who was standing in for Wogan on his Radio 2 show, said he and his colleague were expecting him back soon.
He said: “None of us saw this coming.”
His friend, Daily Mail Journalist John McEntee added: “He would have thought, ‘I’m going to die and not make a fuss about it.'”
Born in Limerick on August 3, 1938, the son of a grocery store owner, Wogan achieved national icon status over the course of his 50-year career.
After a brief stint at Irish broadcaster RTE, he approached the BBC in 1967 to find a job. After helping out at Radio 2, he was given a regular afternoon slot on Radio 1.
He then launched his breakfast show on Radio 2, which was an instant success, achieving unprecedented ratings.
He became known for his idiosyncratic radio style, which included long, amusing digressions and biting wit, especially in the Eurovision Song Contest Cover.
He was also celebrated as a presenter at Children in need.
The broadcasting world and beyond paid tribute to Sir Terry when the news broke yesterday.
Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans said: “We are all so terribly saddened to hear of Terry’s death. I cannot put into words how the whole Radio 2 family feels.”
Simon Mayo added: “No one was a better friend behind the microphone than Sir Terry,” and BBC director Tony Hall called him “a broadcasting legend.”
(Image credit: Rex/Shutterstock)
