Kelly joined BBC Radio Ulster in April 2009, presenting a weekly Saturday show and in January 2014 he also started presenting a Friday afternoon programme.
He took a step back from the Friday slot in October 2019 and continued with his Saturday programme until later that year.
In 2019, he presented the BBC NI television documentary Links to the Past: Pioneers of Ulster Golf.
Emma Dunseith, Head of Content Production at BBC Northern Ireland, described Kelly as “an exceptional broadcaster and journalist”.
“He made a valued contribution to the BBC and leaves an impressive broadcasting legacy. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”
In December 2022, Kelly joined forces with other veteran journalists to team up with Belfast Met students to bring Tonight with Gerry Kelly to television for a run of eight episodes.
Recorded in front of a live audience for NVTV, the 45-minute show featured music and interviews with guests from the world of music, entertainment and showbiz including Boyzone’s Keith Duffy, Louis Walsh and Brian Kennedy.
At the launch, Kelly said it was a “delight for us all to be able to pass on our many years of broadcasting experience to the next generation of TV, radio and film makers”.
