Beloved BBC television and radio presenter Terry Wogan has passed away at the age of 77, his family has confirmed.

Wogan died peacefully on Sunday and was surrounded by family and friends "after a short but brave battle with cancer," the family said in a statement, according to the Associated Press. "While we understand he will be missed by many, the family ask that their privacy is respected at this time," the family added.

The Irish presenter had pulled out from his long-term hosting duties for the broadcast network's Children In Need evening because of health reasons.

Wogan is originally from Limerick, which is located in the south of Ireland. He briefly worked as a banker before he became a newsreader and announcer for RTE, Ireland's national broadcaster. Wogan then went to England and joined the BBC in 1966 and received his first big break, temporarily substituting for Jimmy Young on his morning show before being offered his own regular afternoon slot, The Huffington Post U.K. reported.

Wogan, whose career spanned more than five decades, had been involved with the BBC's annual Children In Need since its inception and was a regular commentator for the Eurovision Song Contest.

He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 2005, according to The Mirror.