Former RTÉ broadcaster Val Joyce, who presented a host of popular radio programmes during a long career with the station, has died.
Mr Joyce died last night at Fern Dean in Blackrock, Dublin, surrounded by many members of his family.
His wife Vera died almost six years ago, and he is survived by his children Kenn, Sally, Alan, Karen, and Julie as well as other relatives and friends.
A native of Dublin, he worked with the Irish Hospital Sweepstakes as an accountant before his radio career began in the 1950s when a number of sponsored programmes were broadcast on Radio Éireann.
One of those sponsored slots was taken by the Irish Hospital Sweepstakes and Val Joyce was chosen to present the shows.
Other programmes he presented over the years included Sound of Light and Pop Call, but he is possibly most famous for Airs and Races, which ran on Saturday afternoons in the 1980s and featured songs as well as sporting events, including horseracing.
"The only things he ever loved were horse racing and music and the theatre," his son Kenn said.
Later there was Ireland's Choice with Val Joyce and then, for over 15 years, Late Date.
Early in his career his programme included Terry Wogan among the staff, and he also worked with many other well-known broadcasters over the years.
His wife Vera was one of the singers who appeared on the first broadcast of RTÉ television on New Year’s Eve in 1961 from the Gresham Hotel.
"Emails are flooding in today, and the things everybody remembers are his one-liners and wit, quite the large repertoire," Kenn said.
His funeral is expected to take place later this week at Booterstown in Dublin.
