Tributes have poured in from across politics, media, and sport following the death of veteran Northern Ireland broadcaster Gerry Kelly at the age of 77.

The Ballymena-born journalist and presenter passed away at his home on Sunday surrounded by his family, following an illness. His family confirmed his death, leading to widespread recognition of a career that spanned over 40 years. Kelly became a household name as host of UTV's flagship chat show Kelly, which aired 571 episodes between 1989 and 2005. Featuring conversations with prominent figures across entertainment, sports, and politics, it grew to become one of Northern Ireland's most popular television broadcasts. He later joined BBC Radio Ulster, presenting weekend shows from 2009 until 2019, before returning to television screens in recent years with The Kelly Years to reflect on notable interviews from his career.

In 2018, Kelly revealed that he had been diagnosed with cancer two years prior, speaking openly about his treatment to encourage others to seek medical advice when needed.

Born in Ballymena in 1948, Kelly initially worked as a teacher and lecturer prior to entering journalism. Over his career, he earned numerous awards, including a Sony Gold Award, and gained widespread respect for his relaxed interviewing style and capacity to put guests at ease.

He is survived by his wife, Helena, and his daughters, Sara and Claire.

Image: NVTV