Terry Wogan in pictures

Hair today, gone tomorrow. Back in his early days at the BBC, Wogan sported a radically different haircut from the one he has today Photograph: John Curtis/Public domain

Where’s Terry? Oh yes, there he is (middle row, third from left), on the occasion of BBC Radio 1's first birthday in 1968. Alan Freeman (top right) was furious Wogan beat him in the 'how low can you have your parting?' competition Photograph: Dennis Oulds/Getty

You can't see the join. In the wallpaper behind Terry Wogan's head that is, as he takes the 'sports casual' look to Alan Partridge extremes. Never without a hanky in the top pocket, our Terry Photograph: BBC

'What I really want is my own chatshow, every weeknight. Forever.' Wogan on Celebrity Squares in 1976 Photograph: Public domain

A glimpse at the negotiating tactics that earned Wogan such a big wedge. No, of course not, it's Dallas star Larry Hagman, just at the time when 'Who shot JR?' fever was at its height in 1980 Photograph: Tony Weaver/Getty

'I bet you £100 at 1,000 to 1 that your daughter will one day co-present the breakfast show on Channel 4!' Wogan impresses Jimmy Tarbuck with his crystal ball antics at the Bob Hope British Classic golf tournament in 1981 Photograph: Getty

'Does my hair look better now or then? Or is it always the same?' Wogan on the box, on the box, in 1985 Photograph: Martyn Goddard/Public domain

'And if I balance really carefully, I can change the record with my feet! Have to take my shoes off first, though.' Wogan relaxes in his BBC Radio 2 recording studio. Moments after this picture was taken the chair flipped over backwards and Wogan's show was temporarily taken off air Photograph: BBC

'That's my cab, you shit!' Wogan cavorts with fellow broadcaster and long time This Is Your Life presenter Eamonn Andrews in 1978 Photograph: Getty

The name's Wogan, Terry Wogan. With the fellow smoothie Roger Moore on the Wogan chatshow in 1985 Photograph: Sten Rosenlund/Public domain

The right notes, but in the wrong order. No, not that classic Morecambe and Wise sketch with Andre Previn but Hollywood actor Jack Lemmon on Wogan's BBC1 chatshow in 1989. Lemmon was treated to a surprise appearance, via satellite, by his long-time acting partner, Walter Matthau Photograph: PA

If Michael Parkinson thought he had it tough with Meg Ryan, he should have tried George Best. The former footballer is pictured here after his inebriated appearance on Wogan's chatshow in 1990 Photograph: Ian Richards/Rex Features

The horns and the trident are a start, but frankly Wogan could have made more of an effort with the jumper for his broadcast from Hell in Norway, where he presented the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show in 1997. He's in Hell, you see. He's the devil. Oh, please yourselves Photograph: BBC

Dolly Parton takes hold of Wogan’s magnificent instrument with both hands, and then surprises the hell out of the Radio 2 man by writing her name on it. The guitar was a donation to 2002’s Children In Need Photograph: BBC

'I went to Buckingham Palace and all I got was this lousy medal.' Wogan proudly displays off his new neckwear after receiving a knighthood from the Queen in 2005 Photograph: Fiona Hanson/PA

Talking of the Queen, as we just were, Wogan and the rest of the BBC meet Her Maj at Broadcasting House in 2006. Wogan is pictured with (from left) John Humphrys, James Naughtie, Chris Moyles and Jenny Abramsky. The BBC's outgoing director of audio and music, Abramsky looks really pleased to see the Queen, but in fact she is standing on her foot. Ye-ouch! Photograph: Getty

And then they said: 'We're prepared to pay you this much…' Wogan in the Radio 2 studio in 2006 Photograph: BBC

Go on then, give us your best Paul McCartney impersonation! One of these people is a national institution who thinks the BBC is not what it used to be. The other is Terry Wogan. No, of course not, it's Wogan with lovable Pudsey Bear, star of countless Children In Needs (this one was in 2006). And Big Ben, for some reason Photograph: BBC

'Whoever's fault it was I'm sure it wasn't Terry Wogan's,' announced BBC director general Mark Thompson after Wogan accidentally announced the wrong winner of BBC1's Eurovision song contest heat in 2007. It's Cyndi! Er, no it’s not, said co-presenter Fearne Cotton. It's Scooch! On reflection, we probably should have stuck with Cyndi. Poor thing Photograph: BBC

Wogan appears rather over-excited at the prospect of the 2008 Eurovision song contest. He was rather less impressed after the event, stoking rumours that the programme may well be his last. His mood was not helped by the joker who put the superglue in his trouser pocket Photograph: BBC

10 December 2009: Chris Evans and Terry Wogan attend the Radio Academy Hall Of Fame Photograph: Danny Martindale/guardian.co.uk

12 December 2009: Jonathan Ross and Terry Wogan at the British Comedy Awards 2009 Photograph: Ken McKay/guardian.co.uk

14 December 2009: Sir Terry Wogan operates the controls inside the control tower on Tower Bridge. Terry was invited to raise the bridge after receiving the honour of 'Freedom of the City of London', after five decades of broadcasting Photograph: Dan Kitwood/guardian.co.uk

18 December 2009: Terry Wogan arrives for his last ever day at Radio 2 Photograph: Beretta/Sims/guardian.co.uk

18 December 2009: Sir Terry Wogan presents his final Wake Up To Wogan show on BBC Radio 2 Photograph: guardian.co.uk

18 Decemebr 2009: Sir Terry Wogan presents his final Wake Up To Wogan show on BBC Radio 2 Photograph: guardian.co.uk

18 December 2009: Terry Wogan leaving Radio 2 offices on his last day of the breakfast show Photograph: Neil Mockford/guardian.co.uk