Gay Byrne death: Late Late Show host and veteran Irish broadcaster dies aged 85

TV and radio presenter’s career spanned six decades

Gay Byrne hosted 'The Late Late Show' for 37 years (RTE)

Irish television presenter Gay Byrne has died, aged 85.

The broadcaster, who presented RTÉ chat show The Late Late Show in Ireland for 37 years, had been suffering from a long illness.

In 2016, he underwent surgery for prostate cancer.

Byrne’s family announced the news in a statement. It read: “It is with sadness that Kathleen, Crona and Suzy wish to announce that their beloved Gay has died peacefully at home today, surrounded by his family.

“We wish to thank everybody for their love and support during Gay’s illness. Particularly the wonderful teams in the Mater Hospital, St Francis Hospice and the Irish Cancer Society.”

Byrne, who was lovingly referred to as Uncle Gay, had a career that spanned six decades. In 2010, he was named “the most influential radio and television man in the history of the Irish State” by The Irish Times.

He was the first person to introduce The Beatles on screen, while working for Granada Television in Britain in the early 1960s.

Byrne is survived by his wife Kathleen and daughters Crona and Suzy.