Legendary broadcaster Terry Wogan’s daughter-in-law has recalled his “amazing” celebrations saying it was “a privilege” to be part of it.
Speaking excusively to about the latest book in her hugely popular Uh Oh Milo! series The Excited Elf Kate Wogan recalled Christmases with her father in law.
Explaining they always did one year with her parents and one with the Wogans. she said: “Obviously, I can’t speak for my husband [growing up] but from stories I’ve heard, the [Christmases] were amazing. From my point of view, with the grandchildren and as a family – quite a few grandchildren – he just loved Christmas. He really loved Christmas. He was like this big jolly Terry. Exactly how he was on the radio.
Recalling what the day entailed she said: “It was all about the food. It was all about the family. My mother in law [Helen Wogan] was an extraordinary chef. Really, really amazing. I can’t even begin to tell you the level of washing up in the house. But it was always a really amazing time, and he was very inclusive as well.
“It was such a privilege to be part of the family but in the grand design, he was kind of boring. There’s nothing to say that everyone wouldn’t expect to hear about him. It was a lot of food, a lot of wine, a lot of laughter. A very Irish Christmas. A lot of people…three days of just family and that’s that’s all he ever wanted. He was a very family orientated guy, so it was a privilege to to be part of that.”
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Terry Wogan, pictured here with his wife and children, loved Christmas with his family around him (Image: Getty)
Sir Terry sadly died in January 2016 at the age of 77 and his wife Lady Helen passed earlier this year. Kate, her husband and children will spend Christmas Day wth her family this year.
However all the Wogans will get together on Boxing Day which is a tradition for the family. “I’ve got my parents here [ Day], and then we’re going to get together with Katherine, Mark and the rest of the Wogan’s Saturday on Boxing Day.
“That will always continue, because we’re all very close, and all the boys work together so we see them all the time.”
Prior to Terry’s death he had been excited about the Uh Oh Milo! series of children’s books Kate was working on and had promised to offer his dulcet tones to the audio versions. Sadly, he died around six months after the first book was released although he got to see them and really liked them according to Kate.
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Kate Wogan has revealed her father in law Terry loved Christmas (Image: Kate Wogan)
The series has proved a huge success and the latest edition Uh Oh Milo! The Excited Elf sees winner Sam Thompson voice a reading of the book which children can snuggle up and listen to.
“He did such a good job,” Kate enthused. “Sam’s a great one for Christmas and Excited Elf being so excited himself. We are very blessed to have him on board, particularly when he’s so busy this time of year.”
The whole series of books is based on what Kate’s grandmother used to tell them as children. The main characters, Milo and Mary, are based on her own children, who are teenagers now, something Kate admits is, “an enormous embarrassment for them but entertainment for me”.
With words by Kate and beautiful illustrations by Helen Faulkner it is sure to keep children entertained as they wait for Santa to arrive. The book is also raising money for the charity Cash for Kids. “We were so delighted when we were introduced to Cash For Kids. Children In Need is a bigger charity and and it just felt that going with Cash For Kids was a better fit for the book.
“We felt it would get lost in the whole Children in Need thing which is such a big enterprise. And I don’t want to piggyback on Terry. Particularly, it was nice to do our thing but also nice to support such an important charity. It’s doing so many good works.”
Uh Oh Milo! The Excited Elf and other books in the series are available from bookstores and the Uh Oh Milo .