When famous people die, there is often a rush of sadness and proclamations of familiarity and fond memories amongst friends, with pictures and YouTube links posted on social media channels while we try to express in some way, how these people had touched our lives.
Waking up to the news of Sir Terry Wogan's death yesterday was a bit different to that however. Following a January where too many icons had passed - and while I appreciate the genius the likes of Bowie and Rickman brought to this world - I had never had breakfast with them, or sat watching them having a conversation with someone else while in my pyjamas having tea. It did feel like I’d been told that a family member had died.
It takes a certain kind of genius to hold the hands of millions of people in some of their most intimate moments - to wake their day with a wry smile day in, day out, year after year. To cut to VT showing the volumes of children in need while giving us a metaphorical warm hug with a comforting tone and disarming style at the same time.
And that's exactly the kind of genius Terry Wogan brought to us during his career and why, over the past 24hours, he's been hailed as a broadcaster like no other. Holding an audience of 8million for a radio show is no mean feat and when Terry turned the levels on his microphone down following his last breakfast show in 2008, a remarkable chapter in broadcast came to an end.
Terry was more than his voice. By approaching his broadcasts as if he were talking to ‘one listener’ only, he gained our trust, our affection and our friendship.
Thank you for the friendship Terry.
Sir Terry Wogan
1938-2016
