Sir Gerry Robinson: Businessman and broadcaster dies aged 72
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Sir Gerry Robinson was knighted in 2003 for services to the arts and business
Businessman and broadcaster Sir Gerry Robinson has died at the age of 72.
Sir Gerry, a former chairman and chief executive of Granada TV, died at Letterkenny University Hospital, County Donegal, in the Republic of Ireland on Thursday.
He was knighted in 2003 for services to the arts and business.
As a broadcaster, he presented a number of series for the BBC including I'll Show Them Who's Boss in 2004 and Can Gerry Robinson Fix The NHS? in 2007.
In 2011, he presented the BBC television show Can't Take It with You, which helped people to write their wills.
One of 10 siblings, Sir Gerry was born in October 1948.
He grew up in Dunfanaghy, County Donegal, before moving to England as a teenager.
Sir Gerry Robinson was chairman of Granada TV from 1996 until 2001
During a career which began in 1965, when he joined Matchbox Toys as an accounting clerk, Sir Gerry went on to serve as chairman of drinks giant Allied Domecq, BSkyB and ITN as well as the Arts Council England.
He joined Granada in 1991 as chief executive and was chairman from 1996 until 2001.
In 2010, he accused politicians in Northern Ireland of lacking the will to make tough decisions to improve the health service.
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The No Barriers Foundation, a non-profit rehabilitation centre for people with neurological conditions to which Sir Gerry was connected, said it was "devastated" to hear of Sir Gerry's death.
In a tweet, it said: "His kindness, his wisdom and generosity have immeasurably helped the foundation become what it is today."
Letterkenny Musical Society, of which Sir Gerry was a supporter, described him as a "wonderful, spirited and generous man".
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Sir Gerry and his wife Lady Heather Robinson have lived on Oakfield Park Estate in Raphoe, County Donegal, since 1998, where they opened a botanical garden and a narrow gauge railway.