BBC rename home of BBC Radio 2 in memory of Sir Terry Wogan
To honour the life and career of broadcasting legend, Sir Terry Wogan, the BBC has today announced BBC Western House in central London will be renamed, BBC Wogan House.
Terry was a much-loved Radio 2 personality and it is right we honour him in this way. Each time we all walk through the doors of Wogan House we will be forever reminded of him – his warmth, wit and endless charm.
The newly named building is home to BBC Radio 2 where Sir Terry first worked over 40 years ago. During his time there he famously hosted the Radio 2 breakfast show between 1972-1984 and 1993-2009 closing his last broadcast with the words, “thank you for being my friend”. Sir Terry was last on air on Radio 2 on Sunday 8 November 2015 presenting, Weekend Wogan.
The inauguration of Wogan House was marked with the unveiling of new architectural signage at 11.30am on Wednesday 16 November with the Wogan family, Deputy Director-General, Anne Bulford, Director of Radio, Bob Shennan, all in attendance.
The Wogan family, said: “BBC Radio 2 was such an important part of Terry’s life. He spent so many happy years there doing what he loved – chatting and laughing with the listeners from his studio in BBC Western House every weekday morning.
“We are so proud that the building is being renamed ‘Wogan House’ in his honour, the whole family are extremely touched by such a wonderful gesture.”
BBC Director of Radio, Bob Shennan, said: “Terry was a much-loved Radio 2 personality and it is right we honour him in this way. Each time we all walk through the doors of Wogan House we will be forever reminded of him – his warmth, wit and endless charm.”
The career of the celebrated broadcaster spanned almost fifty years at the BBC. As well as hosting shows at BBC Radio 2, Sir Terry presented the BBC Children in Need appeal night for more than 30 years since it began in 1980 and was the voice and spirit of the BBC coverage of Eurovision.
Sir Terry passed away earlier this year, on January 30, surrounded by his family. A memorial service was held in Westminster Abbey on September 27 – the 50th anniversary of his first radio broadcast. The service was attended by family, friends, and colleagues, as well as 650 fans from a BBC Radio 2 ballot and 100 fans of Sir Terry, known as TOGS.
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Notes to Editors
A small speech was given by Bob Shennan just before the unveiling.
He said: "Today is a very special day. All of us who work in this building remember working with Terry Wogan.
"There’s a photo upstairs on the wall of Radio 2 and it’s of Terry standing right here, on the morning of his final Breakfast Show. He’s standing addressing a crowd, arms aloft like a prize fighter, acknowledging the crowd with a big smile on his face. There were photographers, reporters, camera crews, well-wishers, BBC people, an extraordinary crowd of people on an extraordinary day reflecting on an extraordinary man.
"So today it’s such a great privilege for us to be able to unveil a new name for this building where he built the fantastic success of Radio 2. It means that any time any of us walk through these doors, we will automatically think of Terry and his charm and we will smile. So I’d now like to ask our Deputy Director General Anne Bulford and Lady Helen Wogan to do the honours and unveil the new Wogan House.”