Family of Irish-born Terry Wogan, one of the BBC’s most recognisable faces and voices, have confirmed his death aged 77.

“Sir Terry Wogan died today after a short but brave battle with cancer,” a statement on behalf of his family said.

“He passed away surrounded by his family.”

Sir Terry joined the BBC in 1966, and went on to become a national institution as a disc jockey, chat show host and presenter, known for his gently mocking wit and Irish brogue.

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Prime Minister David Cameron said Britain had lost a “huge talent”.

“I grew up listening to him on the radio and watching him on TV,” he wrote on Twitter. “His charm and wit always made me smile.

“Britain has lost a huge talent — someone millions came to feel was their own special friend.”

Sir Terry began presenting the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show in 1972, propelling it to Europe’s most-listened radio broadcast with his combination of smooth Irish charm and sharp sense of fun.

He also hosted BBC TV chat show Wogan from 1982 until 1992, presiding over many memorable moments watched by millions of viewers.

They included football legend George Best turning up drunk, former sports presenter David Icke proclaiming himself as “a son of the Godhead”, US actor Chevy Chase remaining silent throughout the interview and music icon David Bowie refusing to cooperate.

“David Bowie, well, he probably wasn’t at his best when I interviewed him,” he later said.

“I thought a solid slap would have helped the situation. I didn’t hit him, of course, but it came close.”

Sir Terry, born in Limerick in 1938, also hosted popular quiz show Blankety Blank and annual fundraising event Children in Need for more than 30 years.

He even entered the pop charts in 1978 with his version of popular English folk song The Floral Dance.

He is survived by three children, another one dying shortly after birth, and wife Helen Joyce.