🚨 A BELOVED TV ICON HAS TAKEN HIS FINAL BOW… TRIBUTES ARE POURING IN AFTER THE DEATH OF GERRY KELLY, A FAMILIAR FACE TO GENERATIONS OF VIEWERS
NORTHERN Irish broadcaster Gerry Kelly has died at the age of 77, following an illness.
The popular presenter was best known for his work on UTV’s Friday night talk show and BBC Radio Ulster.
The star had a long career on the TV and radio airwaves
The broadcaster, pictured with Bertie Ahern, has been remembered as ‘huge character’
Gerry’s family confirmed that he passed away surrounded by loved ones at his home this morning.
Following his death today many heartfelt tributes have poured in for the presenter.
Northern Irish journalist Anne Hailes shared this afternoon: “Sad news. Gerry Kelly passed away this morning at home with his wife Helena and his daughters Sara and Claire.
“He had been ill for some time. Big man who will leave big memories, RIP.”
The 77-year-old died surrounded by family this morning
Journalists have led tributes to Gerry todayCredit: Crispin Rodwell
Larry Wyse, a volunteer with Athlone Community Radio in Westmeath, also paid tribute to Kelly today.
In a heartfelt post on social media he said: “Rip Gerry Kelly.
“One of Northern Ireland’s best-known and most beloved broadcasters, the Ballymena native, who has died aged 77, became a household name on both sides of the Irish border thanks to his long-running UTV chat show “Kelly”, which ran for 16 years from September 1989 until December 2005.
“Aside from his work in television, Kelly also worked at BBC Radio Ulster, where he presented his own show twice a week on Fridays and Saturdays between 2009 and 2019.”
BBC presenter William Crawley also paid tribute to the TV icon today.
He penned: “I’m sorry to hear that Gerry Kelly has died. He had a rare gift for drawing out a guest with deep curiosity and genuine warmth; he made interviews feel like real conversations.
“He inspired, encouraged and mentored other broadcasters too. A big star who was always a gentleman.”
The deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Emma Little-Pengelly also remembered the star today.
She said in a statement online: “So sorry to hear of the death of Gerry Kelly, a face and a voice that so many generations across Northern Ireland were familiar with.
“A much loved presenter with a huge character. He interviewed so many, many hundreds of people across decades including his famous clip with a young Rory McIlroy and the wash machine!
“Thinking of all his family and friends at this time of mourning, sending my deepest condolences and may God be with them and comfort them at this time of sad loss.”
The TV legend was a native of Ballymena in Co Antrim and moved to Down in his youth.
He lived there into adulthood, later marrying and having two children.
Before his move into journalism Kelly started out as a lecturer at St. Mary’s College in Belfast and also spent some time in Belfast City Council.
His break into journalism came when he began reporting on the GAA for UTV.
He later took over as the presenter of Good Evening Ulster on the station.
In 1989 he began presenting talk show Kelly on the station and continued to do so until 2005.
Other notable ventures included Kelly on the Radio on Downtown Radio and Gerry Meets.
After leaving UTV in 2008 the broadcaster joined BBC Radio Ulster and in 2024 a new TV talk show Conversations with Gerry aired on NVTV.
In 2018 the TV legend confirmed he had been diagnosed with cancer a number of years earlier.
He had undergone chemotherapy and surgery, with a tumor successfully removed.
SOURCE: https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/39876999/gerry-kelly-broadcaster-dies-tributes-pour-bbc-utv/
