Children in Need pays touching tribute to Terry Wogan as his son Mark takes to the stage in his place
CHILDREN in Need has paid a touching tribute to Sir Terry Wogan following his death in January.
Friday saw the first telethon since the legendary presenter passed away aged 77 following a secret battle with cancer.
After an opening tribute from Tess Daly and new co-host Greg James, Graham Norton introduced a nostalgic montage of Terry's 30 plus years fronting the campaign with the track Unforgettable playing in the background.
Following the video, Graham welcomed Terry's son Mark to the stage to present the first Sir Terry Wogan Fundraiser of the Year Award.
But before naming the recipient, Mark took a moment to talk about his famous father.
He said: "It was his favourite night of the year, mainly because the money raised tonight and throughout the year actually made the difference.
"On a personal note, my mother Helen, Katherine, Alan and I just wanted to say thank you for all the letters, the cards, and of course thank you to the BBC for all the lovely tributes, we are hugely grateful as a family."
Discussing the award, he said it was the brainchild of The One Show host Matt Baker.
He explained: "It’s all Matt Baker's fault, he came up with the idea, he wanted something that would be about dad’s legacy.
Earlier in the evening, Tess and Greg also touched on Terry's legacy, as she advised Greg he simply needed to be as "warm and funny" as his predecessor.
She added: "But on a serious note, this is our first year without our dear friend and charismatic leader Sir Terry.
"Sir Terry was everything that embodied Children in Need and is someone we will all miss very, very much."
Greg added: "It’s up to all of us as a team to continue his legacy."
The legendary host had missed the 2015 event as his health declined, citing back pain as the reason he was unable to present the programme at the time.
Until then, the Irishman had been the face of the fundraising appeal for more than 30 years, having been involved with Children in Need since it began in 1980.
Ahead of the show starting, Tess - who had worked closely with Terry on the show in recent years - revealed her late friends presence would still be felt in the studio during the live broadcast.
She told the BBC: "I know that we will all miss looking at his lovely face with that ever-present cheeky glint in his eye, him constantly cracking jokes, never taking proceedings too seriously."
Tess opened the show with BBC Radio One presenter Greg James, who posted a touching tribute to his hero on Instagram earlier in the day.
Alongside a picture of Terry with Pudsey Bear, he wrote: "In the words of the great man: 'I don't think there's a public in the world who respond like the British to a call for charity'.
"Let's all carry his spirit on tonight, do him proud and raise a shed load of money for some wonderful young people who need our help."
The BBC has already made sure to keep Terry's name closely linked with this years appeal, having broadcast a Children in Need Rocks for Terry gig earlier this week.
Greg and fellow DJ Greg James hosted the event at London's Royal Albert Hall with X Factor star Olly Murs opening proceedings with a Frank Sinatra classic.
He was followed up by boyband The Vamps, who took on one of Sir Terry's favourite Beach Boys hits, Surfin' USA.
Fans quickly took to social media to give the thumbs up to the jam-packed charity extravaganza.
One wrote: "Aw the tribute for Terry Wogan melts my heart" and another added: "That whole thing was both heart wrenching and joyous in equal measures," while a fellow viewer said: "Feeling the love while watching Children In Need rocks for Terry."