Tributes have continued to flood in for "Ireland's greatest broadcaster" Gay Byrne following his passing at the age of 85 on Monday.
Singer-songwriter Imelda May was among those paying tribute to Byrne, who she said was "compassionate and a pro", while musician Hozier said he is "not only a lasting icon of Irish television but a lasting presence in people's hearts and minds also."
On Liveline on RTÉ Radio 1 on Monday, Joe Duffy described his close friend and colleague as a "broadcasting colossus".
Breaking the news of Gay Byrne's passing to listeners, Duffy said: "He has left an indelible mark, not just on Irish society, but he enhanced the lives of countless thousands of Irish people every day through his radio show, while the weekly Late Late Show was the top-rated weekly TV programme.
"He was the boldest, the bravest, the brightest, we are all the better for his life, and are deeply, deeply saddened by his passing...
"If the Ireland of the last 60 years was a voice, if the Ireland of the last 60 years had a voice, it would be the dulcet, challenging, bemused, questioning, reassuring voice of Gay Byrne. We, as a country, are all the better for his life."
One Direction star Niall Horan tweeted that Byrne is "a national treasure".
Rest well Gay Byrne. We all remember sitting in on a Friday night to watch the @RTELateLateShow. A national treasure ☘️
— Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) November 5, 2019
In an emotional message, Hozier wrote: "Very sad to hear of the passing of Gay Byrne, the man is such an important figure in the landscape of modern Irish culture.
"Not only a lasting icon of Irish television but a lasting presence in people's hearts and minds also."
Very sad to hear of the passing of Gay Byrne, the man is such an important figure in the landscape of modern Irish culture. Not only a lasting icon of Irish television but a lasting presence in people's hearts and minds also. Rest in Peace, and love to his family.
— Hozier (@Hozier) November 5, 2019
Imelda May posted a picture of herself with Byrne and tweeted: "The wonderful Gay Byrne died today. I will miss this wonderful man who made me feel safe and genuinely cared for during each interview.
"He was both compassionate and a pro! My heartfelt condolences to his loving family."
The wonderful Gay Byrne died today. I will miss this wonderful man who made me feel safe and genuinely cared for during each interview. He was both compassionate and a pro! My heartfelt condolences to his loving family. #GayByrne #Gaybo #gaybyrneRIP pic.twitter.com/r3tjzjAd8O
— Imelda May (@ImeldaOfficial) November 4, 2019
Ronan Keating posted a picture with Byrne on Instagram with the caption: "The curtain falls on possibly the greatest Irish entertainer of all.
"You made us laugh, cry, think, question, and appreciate."
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This Morning's Eamonn Holmes described Byrne as "the broadcaster we all wanted to be".
Bye to The Greatest #GayByrne .
— Eamonn Holmes (@EamonnHolmes) November 4, 2019
Irish Talkshow Legend.
The Broadcaster we all wanted to be. #LateLateShow @RTEOne #RIPGaybo pic.twitter.com/kXEZ5ZJcp1
BBC talk show host Graham Norton said he was "very sad" to hear about Byrne's passing, and wrote: "He was a giant in broadcasting.
"He showed us all how it should be done. Generous, funny, informed but more than anything else, completely at ease on air."
So very sad to hear about the passing of Gay Byrne. He was a giant in broadcasting. He showed us all how it should be done. Generous, funny, informed but more than anything else, completely at ease on air. My thoughts are with Kathleen, the girls and a nation that adored him. G x
— graham norton (@grahnort) November 4, 2019
Presenter Amanda Byram said Byrne was one of her "TV hero's" growing up.
"The world of TV and indeed the world has lost a legend," she added.
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Stephen Fry, who made a memorial appearance on Gay's show The Meaning of Life, called Gay "a wonderful, wonderful man."
He was a wonderful wonderful man. We British have never really had an equivalent – the closest might have been Terry Wogan … another Irishman. https://t.co/hetl92iI9A
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) November 4, 2019
@stephenfry sent @drivetimerte a lovely tribute to #GayByrne pic.twitter.com/rxTxY5uk1x
— Drivetime RTE (@drivetimerte) November 4, 2019
Actor Chis O'Dowd called Byrne "more than a broadcaster" and commended him for starting "difficult conversations about our cultural identity that altered public discourse forever."
Gay Byrne was more than a broadcaster. He started difficult conversations about our cultural identity that altered public discourse forever. The catchy theme songs for both his Radio and TV shows are fitting earworms for a voice that will resonate for generations. #ThanksGaybo
— chris o'dowd (@BigBoyler) November 4, 2019
Presenter Lorraine Keane said Byrne was "one of the kindest gentlemen I have ever known."
She continued: "He is the reason I went into broadcasting and even at the height of his career took the time to encourage, support and mentor me throughout mine."
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RTÉ Sports presenter Marty Morrissey said Byrne was "hero to me & others who were inspired by his awesome talent to follow him into broadcasting."
He added: "Nobody compares to you Gay."
Ireland's Greatest Broadcaster Gay Byrne was hero to me & others who were inspired by his awesome talent to follow him into broadcasting. He was unique. Got to know him & his family & loved him even more.Sympathies to Kathleen & family. Nobody compares to you Gay💔 RIP @rtenews
— Marty Morrissey (@MartyM_RTE) November 4, 2019
Actress Caitriona Balfe said watching Byrne on The Late Late Show and the Toy Show were "some of my happiest childhood memories."
Watching The Late Late show with my fam + the Christmas toy show are some of my happiest childhood memories. I met him a few years ago + babbled of my love for him. He held my hands and just said " I know, I know". I was so star struck. R.I.P Gay Byrne #ThanksGaybo pic.twitter.com/9bpl8fdm7e
— Caitriona Balfe (@caitrionambalfe) November 4, 2019
Irish chef and TV personality Neven Maguire said Byrne was "a wonderful icon" and added "thank you for the great memories."
So sorry to hear of the passing of Gay Byrne what a wonderful icon beautiful talented man thank you for the great memories sincere condolences to Kathleen and his family rip
— Neven Maguire (@nevenmaguire) November 4, 2019
Presenter Dermot O'Leary described Byrne as "a titan".
Ah man, this guy was a titan. RIP Gay Byrne. Candles lit x https://t.co/HQTaOpN9OI
— Dermot O'Leary (@radioleary) November 4, 2019
Irish writer, actress and columnist Stefanie Preissner praised Byrne for being "just great", adding that he had "A rare greatness that made other people shine brighter in his presence, that turned people into the best of themselves, that made them grow in the light of his warmth.
"Enjoy every minute" he said. What a motto, what a man. #gaybyrne #rip.
Gay Byrne was just great.
— Stefanie Preissner (@StefPreissner) November 4, 2019
A rare greatness that made other people shine brighter in his presence, that turned people into the best of themselves, that made them grow in the light of his warmth. "Enjoy every minute" he said. What a motto, what a man. #gaybyrne #rip pic.twitter.com/ER9vyy04ld
Radio presenter Rick O'Shea described Byrne as the "one true genuine giant of Irish broadcasting.
"We grew up watching to him, listening to him and hoping that in some small way we could emulate the influence he had in our world," he wrote.
Gay Byrne was the one true genuine giant of Irish broadcasting. We grew up watching to him, listening to him and hoping that in some small way we could emulate the influence he had in our world.
— Rick O'Shea (@rickoshea) November 4, 2019
My genuine sincere condolences to his family and friends. https://t.co/RNh67wflbv
Former footballer Paul McGrath said he was "sad to hear of the passing of Gay Byrne, a man who has always been so kind to me over my career."
"Thank you for everything my friend," McGrath tweeted.
So sad to hear of the passing of Gay Byrne, a man who has always been so kind to me over my my career.
— Paul McGrath (@Paulmcgrath5) November 4, 2019
Thank you for everything my friend, Rest In Peace. Love to Kathleen and all Gays family. 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/H4jFrjrgkV
Comedian Jarlath Regan said Byrne was "a force for change when no one else was willing/able to speak up" and "the gold standard."
"There will never be anyone quite like him again," he added.
Gay Byrne wasn't a tv personality or an interviewer or a celebrity. He wasn’t even a talk show host. He was a force for change when no one else was willing/able to speak up. He was a game changer and the gold standard. There will never be anyone quite like him again. #RIPGayByrne
— Jarlath Regan (@Jarlath) November 4, 2019
English broadcaster Piers Morgan called Byrne "Ireland's greatest broadcaster".
"A master of his craft & a charming, brilliant, hugely influential (in a good way) man", he wrote on Twitter.
RIP Gay Byrne, 85.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 4, 2019
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
Former Love/Hate actor Laurence Kinlan said Byrne "changed Irish television" and was "a true Irish legend."
Terrible sad news of Gay Byrne's passing. He changed Irish television. The way in which he interviewed people set a very high standard that hasn’t been matched. A true Irish legend. May he rest in peace.
— Laurence Kinlan (@laurencekinlan) November 4, 2019
Presenter Síle Seoige tweeted: "Whenever I met Gay Byrne, he was warm and encouraging.
"Despite being a bit starstruck every time (which I'm sure he picked up on), he always put me at ease with a smile & a compliment."
Whenever I met Gay Byrne, he was warm and encouraging.
— Síle Seoige (@SileSeoige) November 4, 2019
Despite being a bit starstruck every time (which I'm sure he picked up on), he always put me at ease with a smile & a compliment.
My heart goes out to Kathleen, his family & friends.
Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann.#GayByrne
Paying tribute, comedian and actress Deirdre O'Kane said that Gay "went out of his way to compliment and encourage me".
Whenever I met Gay Byrne over the years, he went out of his way to compliment and encourage me...it meant so much coming from a giant like him and I was so aware that it was a special kind of generosity. God speed Gay, and Roll it there Colette 💙💙💙💙💙💙
— Deirdre O'Kane (@DeirdreOKane1) November 4, 2019
2fm DJ Louise McSharry said that there isn't a single broadcaster in Ireland who wasn't influenced by Gay.
I'm very sorry to hear of Gay Byrne’s passing. I can’t imagine there’s a single broadcaster in Ireland who wasn’t influenced by him. May he rest in peace.
— Louise McSharry (@louisemcsharry) November 4, 2019
Irish rugby player Simon Zebo also paid tribute.
Very sad news about Gay Byrne..what an impact he had on our beautiful little island
— Simon Zebo (@SimonZebo) November 4, 2019
Rip 🙏🏾
Sky News presenter Kay Burley hailed Gay as a "legend".
So very sorry to hear about the passing of #gaybyrne. What a legend. He was 85#LateLateShow pic.twitter.com/qG0pv2SRkr
— Kay Burley (@KayBurley) November 4, 2019
Presenter and broadcaster Laura Whitmore said "we've lost a great" and praised Byrne for being "a staple part of so many homes".
We've lost a great. RIP Gay Byrne. You’ll be remembered as the legend you are and for being a staple part of so many homes ❤️ pic.twitter.com/rzcc9at5Ti
— Laura Whitmore (@thewhitmore) November 4, 2019
Irish comedian Dara Ó Briain hailed Byrne as a "legendary, instinctual broadcaster" and "an interviewer of huge emotional intelligence".
Very sad to hear of the death of Gay Byrne. Hard to explain how huge a presence he was in Ireland for 40+ years; a legendary, instinctual broadcaster; that rarest thing, a gifted listener; and an interviewer of huge emotional intelligence. An enormous life.
— Dara Ó Briain (@daraobriain) November 4, 2019
Dustin the Turkey, a regular guest on The Late Late Show over the years, said, "I'm sad today but unbelievably proud that I got to work with him".
Gay Byrne will never be bettered. Ireland's greatest ever broadcaster, he could do it all - challenge the strong, champion the weak, entertain the masses and even sometimes pretend he didn’t adore me. I’m sad today but unbelievably proud that I got to work with him.#RIPGaybyrne pic.twitter.com/p45G3D5uS2
— Dustin The Turkey (@DustinOfficial) November 4, 2019
Read more:
Gay Byrne: The Greatest Showman
Gay Byrne's finest moments on The Late Late Show
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