Veteran broadcaster Gay Byrne has died at the age of 85
The Managing Director of RTE News Jon Williams announced the news this afternoon.
Very sorry to report that #GayByrne has died. No exaggeration to say he was a legend. 37 years @RTELateLateShow, career spanning 6 decades @RTERadio1 & @RTElyricfm. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis. pic.twitter.com/LoFCz6kGLy
— Jon Williams (@WilliamsJon) November 4, 2019
Gay Byrne is survived by his wife Kathleen, daughters Suzy and Crona and their families.
Mr Byrne was born in Dublin on August 5, 1934, and grew up on the South Circular Road.
He started work as a newsreader and continuity announcer on Radio Éireann in the late 1950's before moving to Granada Television in Manchester, where he worked on a variety of shows, interviewing acts including The Beatles.
For a time he commuted between Dublin and UK, working for both the BBC and RTÉ, but came back to Ireland full time in the late 1960s as presenter and producer of The Late Late Show. The programme went on to become the world’s longest-running chat show.
Tributes paid to Gay Byrne, who has died at the age of 85. https://t.co/gG4aFqc8nL pic.twitter.com/Poq8XpteAf
— RTÉ (@rte) November 4, 2019
Although conceived as a light entertainment show, the programme never shied away from subjects which challenged the views of a conservative Ireland. Viewers were captivated - whether it was the Bishop and The Nightie scandal, Byrne's compassionate response to calling a competition winner whose daughter had just died, and the host's refusal to shake Gerry Adams hand.
Mr Byrne would also give a platform for Irish artists such as U2, Sinead O'Connor and Boyzone.
Gay Byrne would remain at the helm of the Late Late until 1999.
Millions would also allow the Dubliner into their homes through the airwaves, with the Gay Byrne Show running on RTE Radio 1 for 25 years, and Uncle Gaybo presenting other favourites such as Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and the meaning of life.
In 2004, The Irish Film & Television Awards awarded Gay Byrne with its lifetime achievement award.
Tributes
President Michael D Higgins is leading the tributes this afternoon.
"It is with deep sadness I have learned of the death of legendary broadcaster, Gay Byrne.
Having begun his career in broadcasting with Radio Éireann in 1958, he retained a love of radio as a medium. With the arrival of television, he went on to become one of the most recognisable faces of Irish broadcasting, hosting one of the world’s longest-running chat shows - The Late Late Show.
A man of great charisma, Gay Byrne was someone who exuded warmth and presence, who was possessed of effortless wit, charm and who had a flair for broadcasting. This was combined with an innate gentleness as a person, professionalism and humour.
Through his work in radio and on television, he challenged Irish society and shone a light not only on the bright but also the dark sides of Irish life. In doing so, he became one of the most familiar and distinctive voices of our times, helping shape our conscience, our self-image, and our idea of who we might be. Beyond compassion, which he had in abundance, he had a sense of what was just.
Sabina and I wish to express our deepest sympathy to his wife Kathleen, his daughters Suzy and Crona, his grandchildren, and all his friends and colleagues.”
RTÉ Director-General, Dee Forbes, today paid tribute to Mr Byrne, who she credited with "the growth and development of a nation".
"We are all greatly saddened by the passing of Gay Byrne who has been a household name in this country for so many years. Gay was an exceptional broadcaster whose unique and ground-breaking style contributed so much to the development of radio and television in this country," she said.
"Gay’s journalistic legacy is as colossal as the man himself – he not only defined generations, but he deftly arbitrated the growth and development of a nation. Ireland grew up under Gay Byrne, and we will never see his like again. My deepest sympathies to Kathleen and his family."
"He was the master, a once off and the likes of which we will never see again"
- Ryan Tubridy
Gay Byrne 1934 - 2019 pic.twitter.com/8gj6MS6FuX— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) November 4, 2019
I'm saddened to hear of the passing of Irish broadcasting legend #GayByrne
He played an immeasurable role in facilitating debate in Ireland, and made us ask difficult questions of ourselves.
He will be sorely missed.— John Halligan (@JohnHalligan) November 4, 2019
RIP Gay Byrne, 85.
Ireland's greatest broadcaster.
A master of his craft & a charming, brilliant, hugely influential (in a good way) man.
Very sad news. pic.twitter.com/1rKWRQyNMw— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 4, 2019
