Irish radio and television presenter Henry Kelly has died at the age of 78, following ‘a period of ill health’, his family has announced.

Kelly began his career as a hard news journalist with the Irish Times, resulting in him covering The Troubles in 1970s Northern Ireland, but a decade later he decided to pursue a completely different path in light entertainment – having been keen to emulate the success of family friend Terry Wogan. 

He will be best remembered as a household name for presenting such shows as Going For Gold and Game For A Laugh. 

Kelly’s family said he ‘died peacefully’ on Tuesday ‘after a period of ill health’.

Their statement said: ‘Henry will be sorely missed by his friends and family, including his partner Karolyn Shindler, their son Alexander, Henry’s daughter Siobhan and her mother Marjorie.’

Kelly, born on 17 April 1946 in Athlone, County Westmeath in Ireland, showed a prowess in his youth for writing and became interested in pursuing a career in journalism.

He enrolled at University College Dublin, during which he wrote theatre reviews for The Irish Times.

After graduating with a degree in English in 1968, he was taken on as a fledgling journalist with the paper and within two years had been promoted to Belfast-based Northern Editor.

Irish radio and television presenter Henry Kelly has died at the age of 78, following ‘a period of ill health’, his family has announced

The presenter, pictured in 2016, will be best remembered as a household name for presenting such shows as Going For Gold and Game For A Laugh.

It was while in this role that he began covering The Troubles, also known as the Northern Ireland conflict, and the civil unrest that ensured during this time. 

In 1972, he authored a book, How Stormant Fell, which is still regarded highly by historians as a portrayal of events between 1968 and 1972. 

Four years later, Kelly moved to the BBC to work on Radio 4’s The World Tonight programme.

He seemed set on a path to covering news, but at the age of 34 decided on a career change in light entertainment.

While at university, Kelly had befriended the family of BBC host Terry Wogan and was keen to emulate his success as a household name. 

HIs chance came in 1981, when he was chosen as a co-presenter on London Weekend Television’s primetime show, Game For A Laugh. 

The role, which he stayed in until 1983, shot him to success and secured Kelly as a firm household favourite. 

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