How Terry Wogan Kept His Battle With Cancer Secret Even From Close Friends While His Wife - The Only Woman He Ever Loved - Nursed Him To The End

The veteran broadcaster died yesterday at 77 surrounded by loved-ones after his health deteriorated rapidly. 

After disappearing from the airwaves suddenly last year, his illness was kept so private that executives and colleagues at the BBC were convinced he would return to the radio within weeks. 

Instead of revealing the diagnosis, he told close friends he had a back problem. 

His devoted wife Helen, pictured left together in November, was by his side throughout his struggle. 

They met when he was 24 and she just 22, and Sir Terry remained devoted to her to the very end. Pictured inset, the Buckinghamshire mansion where he is believed to have spent his final days.