Tributes for the respected broadcaster Derek Davis following his death after a short illness.
Derek Davis grew up by the sea in Bangor, County Down and developed a love for boats and angling that stayed with him for life.
His media career began as a news journalist working for the US network ABC and BBC Northern Ireland before moving to the newsroom at RTÉ. During a long career, he presented several radio and television programmes, including 'Live at 3' alongside Thelma Mansfield. He won a Jacob's Award for his work on 'The Season That's In It'. He also presented his own show titled 'Davis'.
Derek Davis was the master of ceremonies when US President Ronald Reagan visited Ireland. He presented the Rose of Tralee on two occasions. In the late 1990s, he was back at sea to present the programme 'Out of the Blue'. Appearing on The Saturday Night Show earlier in 2015, he spoke about his lifelong battle with obesity. After gastric surgery, he lost five stone.
Paying tribute to Derek Davis, Glen Killane, managing director of RTÉ Television, described him as an enthusiastic broadcaster who made everything interesting and engaging. Joe Duffy recalls his fellow broadcaster as bright, outgoing, warm and generous.
A talented and versatile broadcaster, Derek Davis was a very popular figure with radio and television audiences alike.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 13 May 2015. The reporter is Sinéad Crowley.
