Gerry Kelly, the broadcaster best known for his long-running UTV chat show, has died at the age of 77, broadcasters and politicians have confirmed.
Broad career and public tributes
Kelly made his name across television and radio in Northern Ireland and was widely regarded as one of the region’s most recognisable presenters. His UTV chat show, Kelly, ran for 17 years and became a staple of Friday night television, bringing a wide range of guests into the studio.
UTV’s head of news and programmes, Simon Clemison, described Kelly as “one of Northern Ireland’s best known and much-loved broadcasters” and offered condolences to the presenter’s family. Political figures and fellow broadcasters also expressed sympathy and recalled his warmth and interviewing style.
“So sorry to hear of the death of Gerry Kelly, a face and a voice that so many generations across Northern Ireland were familiar with,”
Deputy First Minister Emma Little‑Pengelly paid tribute to his character and recalled one of his best-known television moments involving a young Rory McIlroy. Broadcaster William Crawley tweeted that Kelly had a rare gift for drawing out guests with “deep curiosity and genuine warmth”, and that he inspired and mentored others in the industry.
Health and later work
In 2018 Kelly revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer two years earlier. Despite health challenges, he returned to UTV in later years to present The Kelly Years, a series that revisited the many stars who had appeared on his show over the decades.
- Age at death: 77
- Best known for: UTV chat show Kelly (17 years)
- Later work: Presented archival series The Kelly Years
The affection in the tributes underlined Kelly’s status not simply as a broadcaster but as a figure who mattered to audiences across generations — a personality who could make interviews feel conversational and who helped launch or showcase many names from film, television, music and sport.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | 77 |
| Signature programme | UTV chat show Kelly (17 years) |
| Health disclosure | Revealed in 2018 he had been diagnosed with cancer two years earlier |
Local audiences in Stirling and elsewhere in Scotland may remember Kelly from networked coverage and high‑profile interviews that attracted national attention. His ability to put guests at ease and to present a broad mix of entertainment and human stories was repeatedly noted in the messages of condolence.
Further details about funeral arrangements and family statements are expected to follow as the broadcaster’s colleagues and loved ones make formal announcements.
