Game for a Laugh and Going for Gold star TURB Henry Kelly dies aged 78

TRIBUTES have been paid to former Going For Gold and Game For A Laugh host Henry Kelly who has died aged 78.

- Charlotte McLaughlin

The writer and broadcaster died “peacefully” on Tuesday “after a period of ill health”, his family said.

They said in a statement: “Henry will be sorely missed by his friends and family, including his partner Karolyn Shindler, their son Alexander, Henry's daughter Siobhan and her mother Marjorie.”

Downton Abbey star Peter Egan said he was “very sad” to learn that the TV and radio star had died.

He said: “Henry was a delightful man and a terrific presenter. I liked him very much.”

Born in Dublin on April 17, 1946, Henry began his career at newspaper The Irish Times. He went on to become its northern editor, based in Belfast in the 1970s-where he covered the height of the Troubles.