TV legend Henry Kelly, who hosted beloved Game for a Laugh and the BBC’s Going for Gold, has di3d aged 78.
The presenter’s family said he “di3d peacefully” on Tuesday after a “period of ill health”.
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Irish born television presenter and radio broadcaster, Henry Kelly has di3dCredit: Getty
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Kelly – pictured in 2016 – will be ‘sorely missed’, his family saidCredit: Rex
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He was also known for his role as co-host of light entertainment series Game For A LaughCredit: Getty
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Kelly, second from right, on the set of Game for a Laugh with co-stars Mathhew Kelly, far left, Sarah Kennedy and Jeremy BeadleCredit: Rex Features
The family’s statement said today: “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 burst into the limelight after he secured a co-presenter slot on ITV with prime-time light entertainment show Game for a Laugh in 1981.
The show was a big success and made him a household name across the country.
Kelly was also well known for presenting Going for Gold from 1987 to 1996.
The lunchtime television quiz game show was broadcast on BBC1 with contestants from across Europe.
‘GENEROUS, FUNNY, CLEVER & WISE’
Stars and fans alike were quick to pay tribute to Kelly after learning of his passing.
TV presenter and comedian Mark Dolan said: “The amazing Henry Kelly has di3d. I met him as a child, when I got my first glimpse of live radio, whilst he was at LBC in Gough Square.
“He was generous, funny, clever & wise. And very strict about how his Guinness was poured! RIP total legend.”
One fan wrote on social media: “RIP Henry Kelly, you will be sorely missed.”
The TV legend initially started out as a journalist at The Irish Times after he graduated from University College Dublin with a degree in English in 1968.
He was swiftly promoted to the post of its Belfast-based Northern Editor in 1970, a post which he held for five years.
In 1976 he left The Irish Times and moved to London to work as a reporter for the BBC on its Radio 4 The World Tonight programme.
Four years later Kelly made a complete career change at the age of 34.
He abandoned journalism and chose to pursue another career in television, presenting light entertainment shows.
Kelly’s TV career then took off and the rest was history.
In 1988 he briefly returned to journalism and once chaired After Dark.
Kelly also appeared as a quiz show host in the final two episodes of the Victoria Wood sitcom dinnerladies in 2000.
The star had previously worked with Wood on her show Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV in the mid-1980s.
He also appeared occasionally on Sky News television reviewing the Sunday morning newspapers.
Towards the end of his career he made a number of appearances on radio.
Kelly was married to the journalist Karolyn Shindler, and resided in North London.
He was also survived by his daughter Siobhan and son Alex.
The TV legend was said to enjoy golf in his spare time.
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Henry Kelly working in 1992Credit: Rex
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Kelly was a former journalist who turned to TV
