Former television and radio presenter Gerry Kelly has died at the age of 77. The journalist and broadcaster died at his home on Sunday morning.
Kelly’s presenting career spanned four decades, but he is perhaps best remembered for his weekly talk show on UTV, which ran from 1989 until 2005. He also hosted a weekly programme on BBC Radio Ulster from 2009, and more recently fronted a new chat show series made with students at Belfast Met.
As host of UTV’s Kelly show for 17 years, the veteran presenter interviewed a wide range of stars, from country legend Garth Brooks to footballer George Best, on a programme that drew high-profile guests from television, music, politics, and sport. One of his most famous interviews was with an eight-year-old Rory McIlroy, as the young golfer chipped balls into a washing machine. Over the years he fronted a string of popular UTV programmes, including Lifestyle, Kelly’s People, Kelly on Tour, and Kelly on the Road.
UTV Head of News and Programmes Simon Clemison described Kelly as “one of Northern Ireland’s best known and much-loved broadcasters,” saying the Kelly show had become “must-watch” viewing on Friday nights, featuring some of the biggest names in entertainment. He noted that Kelly had returned to UTV only a couple of years ago to front The Kelly Years, a series reflecting on the hundreds of stars from film, television, music, and sport who had passed through the studio doors.
Kelly joined BBC Radio Ulster in April 2009, presenting a weekly Saturday show, and in January 2014 he added a Friday afternoon programme. He stepped back from the Friday slot in October 2019 and continued with his Saturday show until later that year. In 2019, he also presented the BBC NI television documentary Links to the Past: Pioneers of Ulster Golf.
Emma Dunseith, Head of Content Production at BBC Northern Ireland, described Kelly as “an exceptional broadcaster and journalist.” She said he “made a valued contribution to the BBC and leaves an impressive broadcasting legacy,” adding that the broadcaster’s thoughts were with his family.
In December 2022, Kelly joined forces with other veteran journalists and Belfast Met students to bring Tonight with Gerry Kelly to television for a run of eight episodes. Recorded in front of a live audience for NVTV, the 45-minute show featured music and interviews with guests from the worlds of music, entertainment, and showbiz, including Boyzone’s Keith Duffy, Louis Walsh, and Brian Kennedy. At the launch, Kelly said it was “a delight for us all to be able to pass on our many years of broadcasting experience to the next generation of TV, radio and film makers.”
Tributes to a Broadcasting ‘Colossus’
Tributes have poured in from across the broadcasting world. Kelly’s former colleague Anne Hailes paid tribute on social media, calling him a “big man who will leave big memories, RIP.”
Adrian Logan, a colleague of Kelly’s at UTV, described him as a “larger-than-life character.” “He was a colossus in UTV,” Logan said. “Everybody in the place just loved him. He treated everybody fairly and equally, he was such a good fella.” The man viewers knew from television, he added, was the same off screen. “I will remember Gerry just the way he appeared on the screen because that was him. There were no airs or graces with him.”
Another UTV colleague and former presenter, Mike Nesbitt, now the health minister, said Kelly was “always a star but he refused to act like one.” “His genius was the ability to interview you as if he was just being curious, but actually he had researched you… he knew exactly where he wanted to take you,” he said.
BBC presenter Ralph McLean called Kelly “a natural broadcaster, great family man and always a gentleman,” adding that “he made it all look so easy… always a sign of class.” Musician Peter Corry, who described Kelly as a “good friend,” said he was “very sad” to hear of his death. “He was a big champion of mine in the early days of my career. His weekly TV show was so important for entertainment in NI and to performers here.” Broadcaster George Jones said he was “so sad” to learn of the death of a “great friend.”
Comedian Paddy Raff posted a tribute describing his interviews with Kelly as a “career highlight.” “Friday nights meant Kelly on the telly. I grew up watching him interview some of the biggest names but still being just like one of yer da’s mates, he had such down to earth charm.” Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly said Kelly had “a face and a voice that so many generations across Northern Ireland were familiar with,” calling him “a much-loved presenter with a huge character.” Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows said he “grew up watching the Kelly Show,” adding: “We have lost so many TV greats recently, but we are enriched for their presence in our lives for so many years.”
