David Cameron praises ‘great icon’ Terry Wogan

British prime minister says he feels like he grew up with late Limerick born broadcaster

British prime minister David Cameron has paid tribute to Terry Wogan in the House of Commons, describing how he grew up listening to the broadcaster, who died of cancer last month. Photograph: Katie Collins/PA Wire.
British prime minister David Cameron has paid tribute to Terry Wogan in the House of Commons, describing how he grew up listening to the broadcaster, who died of cancer last month. Photograph: Katie Collins/PA Wire.

British prime minister David Cameron has paid tribute to Terry Wogan in the House of Commons, describing how he grew up listening to the broadcaster, who died of cancer last month.

“Terry Wogan was one of this country’s great icons,” he said. “Like many people in the House, I felt almost as if I had grown up with him, listening to him on the radio in the car, watching him present ‘Blankety Blank’ or all the many other things he did.

“Perhaps many people’s favourite was the ‘Eurovision Song Contest’, to which he brought such great humour every year. You did not have to be a ‘TOG’ ( Terry’s Old Geezers and Gals) to be an enormous fan. I think that we were all fans, and he will be hugely missed,” he said.

Wogan’s funeral, which will be private, is due to take place this week.

Denis Staunton

Denis Staunton

Denis Staunton is China Correspondent of The Irish Times