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Press Releases
Tributes to Paul Walters
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Paul Walters, the long-time producer of Wake Up To Wogan, has died in hospital
after a long illness. He was 59.
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Paul was known as 'Dr Wally' to Sir Terry
Wogan's 91Èȱ¬ Radio 2 listeners - the TOGs.
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Sir Terry Wogan paid tribute to his colleague and friend: "To know Paul Walters
was to love him. His character was in his smile. He was charming and he was
relaxed, almost to the point of sleep sometimes.
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"He was the self-styled 'best
putter in the world' and he was also the best music programmer in the world.
Millions of listeners will mourn the loss of a friend. Me too."
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Lesley Douglas, Controller, Radio 2, added: "Paul Walters was a uniquely
talented producer. He loved radio, music and Wake Up To Wogan.
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"In return he
was loved by every individual who knew him in Radio 2, and by millions of
listeners to the station.
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"His relationship with Terry Wogan produced magical
radio which will be remembered with affection for years to come."
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Paul was highly regarded by presenters and colleagues - he was admired for his
music knowledge, production skills and his warm personality.
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He was credited
with introducing the music of Eva Cassidy and Katie Melua to the British
public.
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Paul joined the 91Èȱ¬ in 1973 as a Trainee Film Assistant and soon moved to Radio
2 as a producer, first working with Terry in 1980.
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Paul produced the Early Show in 1977 and went on to work on a range of output - You The Night And The Music, Nightride, The John Dunn Show, Ed Stewart, David
Jacobs and The Terry Wogan Show in the early Eighties.
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In 1983 he moved
briefly back to television as an assistant producer.
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On returning to Radio 2 he indulged his love and knowledge of music by working
with presenters such as Ken Bruce, Sarah Kennedy, David Hamilton, Adrian Love,
Chris Stuart and then with Terry again on Eurovision and the new Wake Up To
Wogan show.
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He produced the award-winning Wake Up To Wogan - the UK's most popular radio
show - until his illness was diagnosed in November 2005.
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He continued to be
involved with choosing the music for the show during his illness.
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Paul introduced emails to the programme in 1996, helped with the new Radio 2
website and pioneered the webcam facility in 1997.
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His understanding of the
audience and contact with listeners was key to the success of the show.
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In 1998 Terry and Paul together launched Wogan's Web on mid-morning 91Èȱ¬ TV
whilst still doing the Radio 2 breakfast show.
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Paul was born in Hertfordshire. He was an accomplished guitar player (as heard
on the Radio 2 Janet and John Stories charity CD).
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His other passions were
flying and - despite recurrent back problems - golf. He was a past captain of the
Mid Herts Golf Club.
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