Kelly is survived by his wife Helena, daughters Sarah and Claire, and broader family; tributes have poured in from colleagues and fans.

His TV work extended to the 2019 documentary Links to the Past: Pioneers of Ulster Golf and other programs developed with local institutions and students.

Even after The Kelly Show ended, he stayed active in broadcasting, writing, and hosting Conversations with Gerry Kelly for young media students, while contributing to NVTV and education projects.

Earlier in his career, he anchored a BBC Radio Ulster program since 2009 and continued to engage listeners with weekend slots, later returning to TV projects and NVTV content after his cancer diagnosis.

The Tonight with Gerry Kelly show, filmed with Belfast Met, featured music and interviews with figures from entertainment and aimed to mentor future broadcasters.

He faced his illness with resilience, continuing to work in broadcasting while detailing his journey and treatments, which included surgery and chemotherapy.

After UTV, he produced television content and launched Tonight with Gerry Kelly on NVTV in 2022, a live-audience series created with Belfast Met students.

News breaks with the death of Gerry Kelly, a beloved Northern Irish broadcaster who spent decades shaping radio and TV at UTV, BBC Radio Ulster, and NVTV, leaving a lasting imprint on audiences.

Colleagues and public figures mourn his loss, praising his warmth, generosity, and knack for drawing out sincere, meaningful conversations with guests.

Beyond media, Kelly was deeply involved in community work, serving as vice-president of Youth Action NI and supporting multiple charities and youth initiatives; he was also an avid golfer and long-time Ardglass Golf Club member.

Kelly was renowned for career milestones including high-profile interviews with sports stars like Rory McIlroy and George Best, and for mentoring the next generation of broadcasters.

In 2018, Kelly publicly disclosed his cancer diagnosis, revealing he had been living with the disease for two years after an initial operation and several rounds of chemotherapy.