Tributes to former UTV broadcaster Gerry Kelly after he passes away
Tributes are being paid to hugely popular broadcaster Gerry Kelly after it was announced that he had passed away, aged 77.
Gerry began his UTV career in 1979, working on UTV news and went on to work on a range of other programmes including Kelly’s People and Kelly On The Road.
However he was best known for his hugely popular Kelly Show which ran from 1989-2005. Later he also presented radio programmes on BBC.
In 1993 he received the prestigious Sony Gold Award for a special programme following the Shankill Road bomb.
In 2022 be began working with a team of veteran TV professionals from the Kelly Show and students from Belfast Metropolitan College to produce a brand-new programme, Tonight with Gerry Kelly, which was broadcast on NVTV.
He had previously given media interviews about his battle with bladder cancer.
Gerry lived in the fishing village of Ardglass, with his wife Helena and daughters Sarah and Claire.
Fellow journalist Anne Hailes spoke of her sadness at the news.
"Gerry Kelly (UTV) passed away this morning at home with his wife Helena and his daughters Sarah and Claire,” she said on social media.
"He had been ill for some time. Big man who will leave big memories, RIP.”
Musician Peter Corry said he too was saddened by the news.
“Very sad to hear that Gerry Kelly has passed away,” he said.
"He was a big champion of mine in the early days of my career and became a good friend. His weekly TV show was so important for entertainment in NI and to performers here.
"It was also lovely to have him as a special guest on The Music Box in 2016. My thoughts are with Helena, Sara, Claire and all of the family.”
Fellow broadcaster Ralph McLean said it was “desperately sad” news.
" A natural broadcaster, great family man and always a gentleman,” he said. “He made it all look so easy...always a sign of class. Thoughts with his family and loved ones at this tough time.”
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said he had been “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 washing machine!,” she said.
"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.”
Upon hearing the news, fellow broadcaster George Jones said that he just remembered that he shared a music track from the Gerry Kelly show yesterday.
"And now I've just found out that Gerry Kelly has left us, so sad..great friend and broadcaster,” he added.
FOND MEMORIES OF VIEWERS
On social media many people recounted his career with fond memories.
Lynda Graham said The Kelly Show was “our Friday night show at home”.
She said: “Our Mum won the competition for dinner at Restaurant 44 and the Kelly Show. We were chauffeur driven from Crossgar to Havelock House and have such lovely memories of that night. Our thoughts are with the Kelly family at this sad time. Gerry was a legend.”
Like many others, Steve Herron said Kelly was core part of his youth.
"Growing up the Kelly show was a big part of Friday nights,” he said. “Always got good guests on the show.”
Lisa McNulty said she was “so saddened” by Gerry’s passing.
“A familiar face and a familiar voice growing up in our house, and Nanny’s,” she said. “The Kelly show was a Friday night essential. May Gerry rest in eternal peace. RIP.”
Jonny Walsh said his passing was announced at mass this morning in Ardglass and the news was “met with shock by many”.
"Gerry was an absolute gentleman and was highly respected by all who knew him,” he said. “He would never go by you without saying hello, whether that be in Ardglass Golf Club, at the chapel on a Sunday or just around the village.
“May he RIP and may I send my sincerest condolences to Helena and his two daughters.”
CAREER AND AWARDS
Before becoming a broadcaster, Gerry was a primary school teacher and lecturer in St Mary`s Teacher Training College, Belfast. His first television job was as a part-time sports reporter.
He moved into television full time in 1979 to present UTV`s nightly one-hour news/magazine programme with Gloria Hunniford.
After Gloria`s departure, Gerry took over Good Evening Ulster for a short spell before branching out into the social action programme Lifestyle.
At the end of the 1980s, UTV began a series of outside broadcast roadshows, Kelly On Tour and Kelly On The Road before finally introducing Kelly in September 1989.
In 1998 Gerry was installed into the Royal Television Society Hall of Fame in recognition of his lifelong contribution to broadcasting.
He has also received two prestigious Entertainment and Media Awards (EMAs), with Kelly twice voted the most entertaining programme in Northern Ireland.
Gerry also presented Kelly On The Road for Downtown Radio and in 1993 he received the prestigious Sony Gold Award for a special programme following the Shankill Road bomb.
He was heavily involved in community work with young people and gave his time to many charitable and voluntary sector institutions.
He was a vice-president of Youth Action, Northern Ireland, and former President of Youth Net - the umbrella group for voluntary and statutory youth organisations in Northern Ireland.
The broadcaster had also been a member of the Prince`s Youth Business Trust Fundraising Committee and a council member of Co-operation Ireland.
A passionate golfer, he once played off a handicap of five. Having played all over the world, he insisted that his favourite course was still Ardglass Golf Club, where he was a Past Captain.