Claudia Winkleman, Dermot O’Leary and Fearne Cotton were among the stars arriving at Westminster Abbey for a special service of thanksgiving to honour the life of the much-loved broadcasting star Sir Terry Wogan.

Sir Terry, known for his velvety voice on radio and television, gave enjoyment to audiences over six decades, sealing his status as a national treasure.

And today a host of stars poured into Westminster Abbey to pay tribute to Sir Terry, who died at the age of 77 on January 31 this year following a battle with cancer.

Broadcaster Gloria Hunniford, who was among the celebrity guests, said: “It’s a very special event. I feel happy and sad. Sad because we have to be here to celebrate his life, happy that we’ve got a chance to say goodbye.

“He would be saying, ‘what’s this all about?’ But we never got a chance to say goodbye.”

The service will feature performances from Katie Melua, 32, and Peter Gabriel, 66, and tributes from the BBC’s director-general Tony Hall and DJ Chris Evans, who inherited eight million listeners when he replaced Sir Terry, who bowed out in 2009 after 27 years on his breakfast show.

Comic Jimmy Carr also paid tribute, saying: “With Terry Wogan there was no act. He was entirely authentic. He was himself on stage and off. ”

Eamonn Holmes said Sir Terry was “from a time in broadcasting that will not be repeated again”.

Fellow broadcaster Ruth Langsford said she would always recall the DJ and TV host as a family man, explaining that he did not have showbiz photos around his home because “his joy was his family”.

Jo Whiley said: “He was one of a kind. He was the one who taught us broadcasters how to be broadcasters. And he was such a fine example of a man.”