Lady Helen Wogan, the wife of broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan, has died aged 88 after a “fantastic life”, her son has announced.

In a social media post, Mark Wogan said he imagines his parents will be “sharing a vodka martini and hoping we don’t make too much of a fuss”.

Lady Helen, who was born in 1936, was married to Sir Terry for more than 40 years, with the pair spending much of their lives together in the Buckinghamshire village of Taplow.

Sir Terry, who hosted his own talk show and Radio 2 breakfast in a long broadcasting career, died of cancer in January 2016 at the age of 77.

Lady Helen was described by her son as “the epitome of style and grace” in an Instagram post.

“A mother, grandmother and wife, with love and kindness at her core. A strength and a belief that saw her through many of life’s trials,” he added.

“A sense of humour and a turn of phrase that would have you in fits of laughter,” the statement added.

“A proper lady in every sense of the word.”

Wogan also shared a black-and-white picture of his parents with the statement, which was released late on Thursday evening.

Lady Helen and Sir Terry shared four children and five grandchildren together.

The pair, both born in Ireland, married in a local parish church in Dublin in April 1965.

Tributes have been paid by a number of stars, including Jeremy Clarkson, Eamonn Holmes and Tess Daly.