Broadcaster Gerry Kelly dies aged 77

Broadcaster Gerry Kelly dies aged 77Image source, Pacemaker PressImage caption, Gerry Kelly at the Ulster Tatler awards in 2010ByAdam Mandeville and Holly Fleck, BBC News NIPublished26 July 2026, 16:24 BSTUpdated 2 hours agoFormer 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, whose presenting career spanned four decades, is perhaps best known for his weekly talk show on UTV from 1989 until 2005.He also hosted a weekly programme on BBC Radio Ulster from 2009, and recently delivered a new chat show series with students at Belfast Met.Image source, Pacemaker PressImage caption, Gerry Kelly with Blue Lights actors Nathan Braniff and Sian Brooke in 2025 on Conversations with Gerry KellyAs the 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.It was a show that attracted 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". He said the Kelly show became a "must-watch' on Friday nights, featuring some of the biggest names in entertainment"."Gerry Kelly was back on UTV just a couple of years ago fronting The Kelly Years, a series reflecting on the hundreds of stars from the world of film, television, music and sport who had come through our studio doors."Image source, PacemakerPressImage caption, Gerry Kelly pictured with country rock musician Garth Brooks in 1998Kelly joined BBC Radio Ulster in April 2009, presenting a weekly S...