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“I’D RATHER LEAVE while we’re in love,” Terry Wogan told his millions of Radio 2 listeners, as he stepped down from his high-profile breakfast slot – prompting tears in kitchens and living rooms all over the country.
The then-71-year-old had been a fixture in households first thing in the morning for decades by the time he decided to quit the BBC show for good, in September of 2009.
He began his first stint in the slot back in 1972 – quitting in 1984 to concentrate on his TV show.
But the Limerick-born presenter returned in 1993, once again building up a hugely loyal listenership thanks to his relaxed manner and frequent surreal ad-libs with producers, guests and newsreaders.
The show had more than eight million listeners when he stepped down for the second time, seven years ago.
His last broadcast in the slot was such a national event, some news outlets even live-blogged the whole thing.
Wogan’s heartfelt sign-off to his fans – or TOGs, as they came to be known – is being widely shared online today, following his death from cancer aged 77.
His words – thanking his legions of dedicated listeners – now serve as a poignant tribute to one of the best-loved broadcasters to grace the airwaves of the UK and Ireland, and the personal connection radio listeners felt they had with him.
Terry’s sign-off, in full…
This is it, then. This is the day I have been dreading – the inevitable morning when you and I come to the parting of the ways, the last Wake Up To Wogan.
It wasn’t always thus. For the first 12 years it was the plain old Terry Wogan Show and you were all Twits, the Terry Wogan is Tops Society.
When I returned to the bosom of our family, it became Wake Up To Wogan and you all became TOGs, Terry’s Old Geezers and Gals.
It’s always been a source of enormous pride to me that you have come together in my name, that you are proud to call yourself my listeners, that you think of me as a friend, someone that you are close enough to laugh with, to poke fun at and occasionally, when the world seemed just a little too cruel, to shed a tear with.
And the years together with you have not only been a pleasure but a privilege. You have allowed me to share your lives with you. When you tell me how important I have been in your lives it’s very moving.
You have been every bit as important in mine.
We have been through at least a couple of generations together, for many of you – your children, like mine, now have children of their own. And your support for Children In Need has been consistent and magnificent. You’ve baked the bakes, you’ve held the quizzes, you’ve sold the calendars, you’ve packed the CDs and the DVDs. You’ve answered the phones… always there when we’ve called on you, unheralded and unsung.
And if anybody embodies the generous, warm spirit of this country it’s you, my listeners.
I am not going to pretend that this is not a sad day – you can probably hear it in my voice.
I am going to miss the laughter and the fun of our mornings together. I know you are going to welcome Chris Evans with the same generosity of spirit that you have always shown me.
So, I am going to miss you, until we are together again in February, have a happy Christmas.
Thank you, thank you for being my friend.
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He looks like Rolf Harris
Ha ha, never eating KFC again,
And one more thing, IMO why they don’t sell curry sauce is beyond me, that gravy is a poor substitute for curry with ur chicken
Paul, You beautiful man, you’re completely correct.
Their food is nasty anyway like, but the lack of curry sauce is unforgivable.
Their gravy was often the only reason for going there. I recall many the time going to KFC and coming out with fingers burned like they were in a hot bath full of chicken, half cooked fries and MSG…. mmm…
I only tell you one time. Don’t fcuk me Eric……. don’t you ever try to fcuk me!
Buzz off bozo the kfc gravy is nice !
Denis o brien wins again, and gets a gagging order against any reporting of his corruption……….discusss
No. But do you like kfc?
DojiFone Denis has more spicy state secrets up his sleeves than Colonel Rolf has had chicken dinners!!
Looks a bit like Rolf Harris
Id consider going to KFC again if they place was clean & the chicken was hot!
Or if they started having nice food
A fella was telling me that his son had his head wrecked to take him to McDonalds so he told him “if you can spell McDonalds ill take ye” so the young fella said ” ah fu.k it we’ll go to KFC
Hillbillys in Cork after a feed of pints.Nothing KFC has to offer even comes close.
I’ve been to the Hillbillys in Fairview a few times. Decent stuff.
And they have curry sauce.
If I want to wrap my mouth around breasts, legs & thighs, I’ll have a night in. Cheers Colonel.
So how you getting on since ya moved back in with your ma?
Good now. Your sis feels right at home too.
I dont have any sisters… but I have a fat brother, could be him?
Eat it in bray a few years ago and never again it was awful
Have to agree…absolutely revolting it was.However,you should try the one in blanch,it’s a bit better.
I hate parking in the retail carpark beside kfc. The smell is nice for about 2 seconds and then fell sick from the smell.
Hope you didn’t hit your head when you fell .
Anytime I go to McDonald’s its packed dont see it slowing down
Its nigella they need not a Rolf Harris lookalike.
The food gives you ebola side effects
No taco fries, no business.
I genuinely read that headline as “KFC is bringing back chicken” haha then I thought, that will never happen
That’s definitely Ronan Collins…….
Tiny little chickens killed, plucked, covered in spicy batter and crumbs and deliciously gobbled up.
Or chickens with no eyes or feathers being genetically processed in a lab, there’s a few documentaries about it. Horrid stuff
Is it really wise to use someone who looks like a white plantation owner from over a century ago to promote chicken in a basket (or is modern alternative)?
All that’s missing is the salty melon balls!
Best of them, all unhealthy but KFC is the best tasting, some of their outlets need a good cleaning, the operators need to be better supervised by KVC, I walked out of Bundoron last year because it was not near clean, I have always found Athlone great
The one in Carrick-on-Shannon is the best I’ve seen. Spotless, and the girl there remembered my order as I passed though (for work) every few days.
They kept him alive with 11 secret herbs and spices
Everythg in bray Is shttttt mc Donald’s Eddie spocrketts it’s un believable shtt
Go to Dundrum taste like the ritz
He’s looking alright for a man that was on ice for 20 years
They can resurrect the messiah for all I care. I still will never eat in that kip
Hillbillys pisses all over KFC… All der missing from der menu is the hot wings an unlike KFC they’re nearly too generous with the chips.. New one on Walkinstown roundabout is tops
He won’t be around long with a cough like that
HACCP comes to mind then, extra flavouring?
That’s one of the worst ads I’ve ever seen, worse than McD’s new Hamburglar. That eejit playing the Colonel gave me the creeps.
Looks like a creepy Rolf Harris
Eric fail KFC
Wasn’t he an awful racist?
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