Former radio presenter from Heckington says farewell to former colleague Sir Terry Wogan

Tom Edwards had presented the early morning programme for Radio 1 and 2, back in the 1970s. He would pass the microphone to Sir Terry who would then present the breakfast show on Radio 2.

“We used to have a lot of banter on air,” he said. They became friends and kept in touch over the years that followed as Tom moved on to ITV.

Tom said it was a great honour to be invited by Lady Helen Wogan and the BBC to sit with old colleagues at last Tuesday’s service at Westminster Abbey, featuring music by Katie Melua and Peter Gabriel, as well as a who’s who of broadcasting.

The 71-year-old who started in the business when he was 20, said: “When Katie Melua started to sing, I just closed my eyes and thought of the good times.”

Sir Terry had even paid tribute to Tom on his final breakfast show, remembering he had been through a battle with alcoholism, now sober for 20 years.

Tom also recalls being asked to co-present Come Dancing with Sir Terry from Tiffany’s ballroom in Great Yarmouth in 1973. They were given a lift from the station by Tom’s mum. He said: “She barely spoke to me - she was in awe of the man.”