TV and radio  presenter Sir Terry Wogan has died.

The Radio 2  and Eurovision Song Contest presenter has died after a short battle with cancer aged 77.

His death was confirmed by his family this morning.

In a statement, they said: "Sir Terry Wogan died today after a short but brave battle with cancer.

"He passed away surrounded by his family. While we understand he will be missed by many, the family ask that their privacy is respected at this time."

Sir Terry Wogan - an obituary

Among those who had paid tribute are Prime Minister Davie Cameron and Hampshire TV personality and friend Esther Rantzen.

Esther, who has a home in the New Forest, worked with Sir Terry on Children in Need.

She said: "He was funny, witty, a really skilled interviewer, which looked so easy but infact wasn't, and he had this extraordibnary warmth and charm."

BBC Director General Tony Hall described Sir Terry as a ''national treasure''.

 He said: ''Terry truly was a national treasure. Today we've lost a wonderful friend. He was a lovely, lovely man and our thoughts are with his wife and family.

''For 50 years Sir Terry graced our screens and airwaves. His warmth, wit and geniality meant that for millions he was a part of the family.

''Wake up to Wogan was for millions of Radio 2 listeners the very best way to start the day. For decades he's been such a huge part of the BBC on television and radio and leaves so many wonderful memories.

''At the centre of Children In Need since its beginning he raised hundreds of millions of pounds and changed so many lives for the better. He leaves a remarkable legacy.''

Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: ''My thoughts are with Terry Wogan's family. Britain has lost a huge talent - someone millions came to feel was their own special friend.

''I grew up listening to him on the radio and watching him on TV. His charm and wit always made me smile.''

Tributes have poured in from the world of showbusiness and beyond for Sir Terry.

Former BBC Radio 2 colleague Jeremy Vine said on Twitter: ''Truly one of the greatest we have ever seen. And treated his colleagues like friends.''

Tony Blackburn added: ''I can hardly believe my old friend Sir Terry Wogan has died. RIP Terry and thanks for being a friend.''

 Presenter Dermot O'Leary tweeted: ''Sir Terry. Just the most warm hearted, generous, funny, clever, life affirming man. Part of the foundations of BBC Radio 2 so very sad.''

Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans added: ''We are all so terribly sad upon hearing of the passing of Terry. I can't put into words how the whole Radio 2 family is feeling.''

Fellow broadcaster Simon Mayo said: ''Always the right tone, always the right phrase, always a radio genius. RIP Sir Terry.''

Cricketer Ian Botham wrote: ''Very sad to hear the news about Sir Terry Wogan passing away this morning !! A wonderful man just the same rain or shine !! RIP''.

And English actor David Schneider said: ''It's truly like God's put an intern in charge of deaths and he's going through the list of celebrities people really love. RIP Terry Wogan.''

Limerick-born Sir Terry had a 50-year career on television and radio, including presenting Wake up to Wogan on BBC Radio 2 and the Wogan chat show.

He was also the voice of Eurovision for many years and had been involved in Children in Need since it began.

Sir Terry Wogan - an obituary

Just last November, Sir Terry was forced to pull out of presenting Children In Need at the last minute due to health issues.

Helen Boaden, director at BBC Radio, said: ''Sir Terry was a radio legend. For decades, he gave great pleasure to radio listeners with his wit, warmth and inimitable humour. He was an extraordinary broadcaster but also incredibly good fun, and will be sorely missed.''

Bob Shennan, controller at Radio 2, said: ''As the host of Wake Up To Wogan, Terry established himself as one of the greatest and most popular radio hosts this country has ever heard.
 ''We were brightened by his wonderful personality and charm as he woke us up every weekday morning, becoming an essential and much-loved part of our lives.
 ''His millions of listeners adored him, as did his whole Radio 2 family. We will miss him enormously and our thoughts at this very sad time are with Helen and all the family.''

In 1982 he broadcast his radio show live from the Beaulieu Motor Museum, pictured below with the late Lord Montagu.

Daily Echo:

 Here are some examples of Sir Terry Wogan's wit and wisdom:

''Hang on: there's 60 million people in the country - what are the other 52 million listening to?'' - On hearing that his radio show audience in 2005 had passed the eight million mark.

''Time flies like an arrow, but fruit flies like a banana.''

''Get on your toes, keep your wits about you, say goodnight politely when it's over, go home and enjoy your dinner'' - His golden rule of broadcasting.

''Gratuitously hurtful folk declare that I am very popular in hospitals because the listeners abed there are too weak to reach out and switch me off.''

''The price of fame? Who in their right mind would want to pay it?''

''If the present Mrs Wogan has a fault - and I must tread carefully here - this gem in the diadem of womanhood is a hoarder. She never throws anything out. Which may explain the longevity of our marriage.''

''Could it be that behind every great man there's a woman working him with her foot?''

''Go out and face the world secure in the knowledge that everybody else thinks they are better looking than they are as well.''

''My opinion has the weight of a ton of feathers.''

''So many things I miss. And, you know, I wouldn't have missed them for anything.''

''Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose. Tosh, mon brave. If there was any truth in that load of old frog spawn, would the present Mrs Wogan have spent a fortune doing the bedroom?''

''The girls themselves resemble nothing so much as garden rakes, and bad-tempered, pouting garden rakes at that'' - On thin models.

''Why do men think they know how to cook outside when they haven't the smallest idea how to go about it indoors?'' - On barbecues.

''The only physical adornments which grow bigger with passing years are the nose and ears. The rest, regrettably, diminishes.''

''Retirement is coming to all of us, and as my accountant said to me lately, 'You'd better think of taking your pension soon, otherwise it won't be worth your while'.''

Sir Terry Wogan - an obituary