Henry Kelly: Remembering the Legendary TV Presenter and Journalist

Image credits: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

Henry Kelly, a veteran TV presenter and journalist, has died at the age of 78, according to his family. Kelly's career spanned multiple decades, during which he worked as a journalist and later transitioned to light entertainment, hosting several popular TV shows, including Game For A Laugh and Going For Gold. Born in Dublin on April 17, 1946, Kelly began his career in journalism, working for The Irish Times in the 1970s, where he covered the civil unrest and the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Kelly's move to London in 1976 marked a significant turning point in his career, as he joined the BBC as a reporter and presenter for Radio 4's The World Tonight. However, in 1980, he decided to leave journalism and pursue a career in light entertainment. This decision led to him hosting several popular TV shows, including Game For A Laugh, a show that involved practical jokes and elaborate set-ups, often on members of the studio audience or unsuspecting members of the public. He also fronted the lunchtime quiz show Going For Gold, which saw contestants from different European countries compete against each other to answer questions and win prizes. The show's theme tune was composed by Hans Zimmer, who went on to become a highly acclaimed film and TV composer.

Going For Gold was briefly revived in the late 2000s by Channel 5, presented by John Suchet. Kelly's other notable works include presenting programs on BBC Radio 4, LBC, and Classic FM. He was also one of the launch presenters of Classic FM and hosted a daily breakfast show from 1992 to 2003. Kelly's later radio career saw him host a show on BBC Radio Berkshire for 10 years, from 2005 to 2015. He also appeared in Victoria Wood's comedy show Dinnerladies and hosted the journalistic talk show After Dark. In 1994, Kelly was voted national broadcaster of the year in the Sony Radio Awards, a testament to his versatility as a presenter and journalist.

Some of Kelly's notable TV shows and programs include:

• Game For A Laugh
• Going For Gold
• Good Morning Britain
• Dinnerladies
• After Dark
• Classic FM
• BBC Radio Berkshire

Kelly's family has announced that he died peacefully on Tuesday after a period of ill health. He 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's legacy as a TV presenter and journalist will be remembered for years to come, and his contributions to the world of entertainment and news will continue to inspire future generations of presenters and journalists. With a career spanning multiple decades, Kelly has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry, and his passing will be felt by all who knew him and admired his work.

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