Dermot O’Leary’s Emotional Tribute to Sir Terry Wogan

On Saturday, January 31, 2026, the broadcasting world paused to remember one of its most beloved icons. Dermot O’Leary led the tributes to Sir Terry Wogan on his BBC Radio 2 show, marking exactly ten years since the legendary "Wake Up to Wogan" presenter passed away at the age of 77.

O'Leary, 52, who stepped into Sir Terry's shoes as a host of Children in Need in 2015, delivered a poignant nod to his predecessor by playing Wogan’s 1978 hit single, "The Floral Dance." ### "Ten Years Since We Lost Him" During the broadcast, O’Leary spoke warmly of the man who defined British radio for decades. Reflecting on the milestone, he noted, “It’s been ten years since we lost him,” before discussing Wogan’s enduring legacy with fellow presenter Romesh Ranganathan.

Ranganathan, though he never met Sir Terry, praised the veteran’s versatility and "brilliant" comedy timing, particularly during his stint hosting Never Mind the Buzzcocks.

“You basically feel like you could drop him into any environment or scenario and he’ll be absolutely brilliant,” Ranganathan noted.

"The Least Showbiz Person in Showbiz"

The anniversary also featured an intimate look at the man behind the microphone. Sir Terry's son, Mark Wogan, appeared on Jeremy Vine’s show on Friday, January 30, to describe his father as "the least showbiz person in showbiz."

Mark shared that while his father was public property by choice, he was a deeply private "family man" who truly "clocked off" the moment he left the Radio 2 studios.

• A Private Legend: Mark revealed that despite interviewing over 2,500 people during his chat show career, Sir Terry only became close personal friends with two of them.

• Pure Enjoyment: Mark recalled his father’s humble outlook on his career: “As he said, 'I've got the best job in the world. I go into work every day and laugh for two hours.'”

BBC Radio 2 Remembers

To commemorate the decade since his passing, BBC Radio 2 scheduled special programming:

1. Wogan: In His Own Words: A repeat of the intimate documentary first broadcast in 2022, featuring a rare 1980s interview where Sir Terry reflected on his family, fame, and career.

2. Star-Studded Contributions: The special featured reflections from colleagues and friends including Zoe Ball, Dame Joanna Lumley, Claudia Winkleman, and Fearne Cotton.

3. The Floral Dance: The lighthearted 1978 track became a focal point of the tributes, reminding listeners of Wogan's unique ability to blend humor with high-quality broadcasting.

A Lasting Legacy

Sir Terry Wogan stepped down from his daily radio show in November 2015 while battling illness. He passed away on January 31, 2016, leaving behind a "TOGs" (Terry’s Old Gals/Gents) fan base that remains active to this day. Ten years later, his warmth, wit, and "velvet voice" continue to serve as the gold standard for broadcasters like Dermot O’Leary.

Source - https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/dermot-o-leary-plays-tribute-to-terry-wogan-on-10th-anniversary-of-his-death/ar-AA1VnvDo?apiversion=v2&domshim=1&noservercache=1&noservertelemetry=1&batchservertelemetry=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1

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