Sir Terry Wogan has been accused of spoiling ‘Eurovision’.
The beloved presenter – who passed away in January at the age of 77 – hosted Britain’s coverage of the ‘Eurovision Song Contest’ for 28 years but the show’s Swedish producer Christer Bjorkman claims Terry’s gently teasing tone made a mockery of the show.
According to the Daily Mirror, he said: "There are several reasons, one is Terry Wogan himself.
"He did this for 28 years and his ¬commentary always forced the mockery side and there is a grown-up generation in Britain that doesn’t know anything better.
"He raised a generation of viewers believing this was a fun kitsch show that had no relevance whatsoever.
"It totally spoiled ‘Eurovision’. Because of what Terry Wogan did, the UK don’t put in their best efforts.
"But it’s the BBC who wanted him and let him, they did not stop him. He did his best and he did what he did very well, make fun of something, but if I would have been in charge I would never have chosen him."
However, Terry has been defended by Cheryl Baker of Bucks Fizz, who won the show in 1981.
She said: "Mr Bjorkman ¬obviously hasn’t got the British/Irish sense of humour. We love to make fun of ourselves, that’s what we do.
"Terry was the king of self-mockery. Yes, he did have the sarcastic irony but it was always done with that lovely Irish lilt and you could never take offence from it.
"He did it for all those years and it’s because people couldn’t get enough of him. Maybe this Swedish bloke hasn’t got much of a sense of humour."
Terry Wogan slammed by Eurovision chief
