Gerry Ryan
Encyclopedia
Gerard "Gerry" Ryan was an Irish
presenter of radio and television employed by Raidió Teilifís Éireann
(RTÉ). He presented The Gerry Ryan Show
on radio station RTÉ 2fm
each weekday morning from 1988 until his death
.
He hosted several series of television shows, including Secrets
, Gerry Ryan Tonight, Ryantown
, Gerry Ryan's Hitlist, Operation Transformation
and Ryan Confidential
Ryan was also noted for co-presenting Eurovision Song Contest 1994
and, in 2008, he presented an edition of The Late Late Show
, television's longest-running chat show.
Ryan's style was considered by some to be that of a motor-mouth shock jock
. The Gerry Ryan Show was subject to several upheld complaints to the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland
(BCI), although once escaped punishment when he said "Would it be considered blasphemous if someone said on air that 'God is a bollocks?'". Ryan was noted for the enjoyment he took in discussing topics such as sex, bodily functions, and food - as well as current social and political issues. PR guru Max Clifford
observed he could have, like Graham Norton
and Terry Wogan
, had a successful broadcasting career in the UK and said he was similar to "Michael Parkinson
at his best".
Ryan was found dead in his Dublin apartment on 30 April 2010. An inquest adjudged his death to have been caused by cocaine
and alcohol consumption.
from a Presbyterian
background and his mother, Maureen, "a flamboyant woman" who came from a theatrical background and worked in the theatre
. His godfather was broadcaster Eamonn Andrews
. He learnt to shoot with Charles Haughey
's children. He had two brothers, Michael and Vincent. He was educated at St Paul's College, Raheny
. Ryan's mother died on Christmas day 2006.
- presenting a selection of programmes firstly for Alternative Radio Dublin (ARD) and then for Big D. When Radio 2 (now RTÉ 2fm) was launched in 1979, Ryan joined RTÉ as a DJ where he presented a selection of speech- and music-based programmes, including Here Comes the Weekend on Friday nights and Saturday Scene on Saturday mornings, which earned him £78 per week. Ryan then moved to a night-time music show called 'Lights out' which accompanied Mark Cagney
's grown-up album programme and Dave Fanning
's The Rock Show as part of Radio 2's night-time line-up. The trio brought their shows on tour around Ireland. Ryan said they dressed as if they were in a band and behaved as such as well, booking into "awful hotels", drinking heavily and staying out late in "dodgy nightclubs". Their excessive talking has led to Ryan dubbing them "the three big-mouths on at night-time". They were good friends; Fanning was "a kind of hyperactive, Southside
rock guru" and Cagney was "this obsessive, meticulous Corkman who would annotate every single millisecond of what he played on-air". The trio also started to put on live shows, some of which Ryan described as being attended by crowds of 20,000.
as part of The Gay Byrne Show
. Ryan claimed to have killed and eaten a lamb to survive, earning him the nickname "Lambo", though the story turned out to be a hoax.
, a satirical slot which featured impersonations of politicians and RTÉ media personnel comparable to rival station Today FM's Gift Grub
. Ryan presented RTÉ 2fm's only show which was regularly among the top twenty Irish radio shows in Ireland, a show which commanded around €4-5 million for RTÉ per annum, mainly through advertising (one thirty-second advertisement during the show cost €900). This meant RTÉ would have earned €27,000 through advertising from Ryan per day.
The defining moment of the show came in 1993, when a rape victim, Lavinia Kerwick, rang GRS to air her feelings. For the first time it occurred to Ryan that the story was more important than the question. Since then The Ryan Show became something of a national institution as the oldest show still running on 2fm. Despite repeated reshuffles which have seen all other presenters shifted around, RTÉ have never moved The Ryan Show from its traditional slot.
In 1997, Ryan's wife Morah, from whom he later separated, phoned her husband's show and, under the name Norah, told half a million listeners that her husband dumps his underpants on the floor before hopping into bed every night, doesn't put his clothes on hangers, had not cleaned the dog's mess from the back yard for weeks and never puts the rubbish out for the dustbin men. When she was done she asked her husband: "You would do that now, wouldn't you Gerry?" The interview was nearing its finish when he realised what was happening after hearing his crew laughing in the Montrose control room. An embarrassed Ryan informed his listeners: "This is my wife talking".
In 2004, Ryan caused uproar when he cancelled an interview with the Taoiseach
of the time, Bertie Ahern
at very short notice.
Following Ryan's death, British broadcaster Chris Evans credited The Gerry Ryan Show with inspiring him while on a holiday in Killarney
.
In October 1990, Ryan received a Jacob's Award for The Gerry Ryan Show, described at the award ceremony as "unbelievably bizarre and unprecedented - and at the same time being serious, hilarious and unpredictable".
Secrets
was a popular Saturday night show which was not well received by critics. The producer, Kevin Linehan, was removed from the show to work on the Millstreet Eurovision
and asked Ryan to co-present the event with Fionnuala Sweeney
. They later met and Linehan informed Ryan that RTÉ had objected to his proposal. He did, however, co-present the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest
alongside Cynthia Ní Mhurchú
where he had the honour of introducing Riverdance
as the interval act. He had watched Michael Flatley
and Jean Butler
put the act together, choreographing it and rehearsing it "fifty or sixty times" and later wrote of being offered the opportunity to invest a stake of £20,000 in the act. Ryan turned it down, a decision he later admitted regretting. Ní Mhurchú later credited Ryan with telling her to not take herself too seriously. Ryan had previously been involved with both the 1986 and 1990 Contest
providing both television and radio commentary for RTÉ, he also provided the RTÉ Radio commentary for the 2002
and the 2003 Contest.
The presenter describes Ryantown
as "the worst television experience I've ever had in my entire life", with producer Julie Parsons (who had previously worked on The Gay Byrne Hour) nearly having a nervous breakdown, according to Ryan. He described RTÉ as "extremely unhelpful".
Gerry Ryan Tonight
was a chat show that aired two nights per week. Ryan describes it as "no less traumatic" as it nearly cost him his close personal friendship with the producer Ferdia McAnna.
Ryan was touted to be the successor to Gay Byrne
following his departure from The Late Late Show
. Reports that Ryan was to be made producer as well as presenter and given a deal worth £500,000 – higher earnings than Byrne received – proved unfounded when Pat Kenny
took over the role in 1999.
Recent TV work included Gerry Ryan's Hitlist, Ryan Confidential
, and Operation Transformation
. Ryan said the critics were not as vocal anymore although he puts this down to them "mostly... ignoring me". Ryan is also noted for presenting The Late Late Show
on 24 October 2008 when regular presenter Pat Kenny
became bereaved. In positive notices unusual as per his television career, Ryan received praise for his guest role, even coping well with the traditionally difficult comedian Tommy Tiernan
whose appearances on the show with Kenny led to complaints. The edition of The Late Late Show that he hosted had the largest audience of any that season apart from the annual edition of The Late Late Toy Show
.
The Evening Herald
reported that when Tonight with Craig Doyle
finished, Ryan was set to present a chat show in autumn 2010.
. He earned €462,442 in 2003, and €601,882 in 2002. RTÉ offered Ryan a new five year contract worth €600,000 a year in July 2007. Ryan said that just before this he came very close to signing a deal with Denis O'Brien
to present a daytime programme on Newstalk which was about to go national. He was offered several millions more than RTÉ were offering him. Ryan considered the deal, thinking of how one of his best friends Willie O'Reilly was head of sister station Today FM
and was heavily involved with the other stations. However negotiations fell apart as Ryan cautioned on how delicate the situation was, with RTÉ looking at his contract and deciding if he was of value to them anymore. O'Brien allegedly disappeared and Ryan was told he was out of coverage. The irony was not lost on him – "pretty incredible for a guy who owns most of the world's mobile telephones". O'Brien did eventually return but Ryan had already signed the RTÉ contract.
In February 2009 Ryan refused to take a 10% pay cut from RTÉ, even as several other employees in RTÉ took such pay cuts, and declared it "bullshit". On 10 March 2009 he gave a lengthy speech on his radio show, at the end of which he declared he would agree to break his existing contract with RTÉ, and take a pay cut. He was not technically a member of RTÉ staff but was paid through a separate company, enabling Ryan and RTÉ to avoid paying as much tax on his salary.
When they first married, the Ryans had very little money. Pat Kenny
gave up a bed for Ryan and his wife to use while on honeymoon in Greece
. Ryan obtained a mortgage by lying about his salary and bought a little house in Marino
. The couple had some difficulty making their payments and they were constantly receiving reminders and even notices of foreclosure.
In March 2008, Ryan announced he and Morah were separating,, and called the separation a very painful experience.
He began a relationship with the former South African Ambassador to Ireland and UNICEF Ireland
executive director, Melanie Verwoerd. Melanie Verwoerd has said she was “deeply shocked” to have been sacked from the charity because of the publicity surrounding her relationship with the late broadcaster.
It was claimed that Ryan was known by some to be a cocaine user, allegedly offering to the former RTE Radio DJ Gareth O'Callaghan.
Ryan's former sister in law, Janice O'Brien said that;
"Many people who knew Gerry knew he took drugs. It was an accepted open secret for years. He used everywhere -- birthday parties, Christmas parties. I'm not the only person in the world that knows this,"
He also underwent a much-publicised vasectomy
which resulted in an infected wound.
Ryan was noted for his love of fine food and wine. He was battling a weight problem for several years, and had been taking Reductil (Sibutramine), a "slimming pill", which he said was effective and safe. Ryan conceded in his autobiography he drank too much for his own good.
, Dublin apartment by his partner on the following afternoon,
Ryan's family issued the following statement to the public: “Gerry Ryan died today. Morah and his children are in complete shock. Please respect their privacy.”
President
Mary McAleese
and many political figures issued regrets at Ryan's passing. Fellow RTÉ broadcasters Gay Byrne
, Pat Kenny
, Larry Gogan
, Joe Duffy
, Dave Fanning
and Ryan Tubridy
also expressed their regrets. Chris Evans of BBC Radio 2
also paid tribute. RTÉ Radio 1
cut short their afternoon show for a special tribute programme on Drivetime
. Bono
also expressed his sympathy.
Director-General of RTÉ
Cathal Goan
, Managing Director of RTÉ Radio, Clare Duignan, and RTÉ Chairperson Tom Savage
all released statements on RTÉ.ie
. Marian Finucane
spoke of meeting him on the Tuesday before his death, considering him to be stressed.
Fans also added their condolences to a memorial website set up in his memory. RTÉ colleagues discussed his life on The Late Late Show
. A two-hour radio programme presented by Evelyn O'Rourke
was broadcast on RTÉ 2fm on 1 May 2010. A book of condolences was opened in the RTÉ Radio Centre, in Donnybrook, Dublin,
Following the announcement of the findings into Ryan's death and its relationship with cocaine consumption at the inquest on 10 December 2010, the broadcaster was involved in further controversy due to his outspoken views against drug use. Details of Ryan's cocaine habit reversed the sympathetic outpourings of the public at the time of his death. Journalist Kevin Myers
stated, "He was also a criminal fool, and an enemy of all that's decent and honourable and true in society".
Commentary on Gerry Ryan:
The Irish Times, 16 May 2008 – impressive growth in Ryan's audience.
Obituaries:
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
presenter of radio and television employed by Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
(RTÉ). He presented The Gerry Ryan Show
The Gerry Ryan Show
The Gerry Ryan Show was RTÉ 2fm's mid-morning radio show...
on radio station RTÉ 2fm
RTÉ 2fm
RTÉ 2fm, or 2FM as it is more commonly referred to, is Raidió Teilifís Éireann's second national radio station. It broadcasts popular music programming aimed at a young Irish audience.- History :...
each weekday morning from 1988 until his death
Death of Gerry Ryan
The sudden death of RTÉ broadcaster Gerry Ryan occurred on 30 April 2010. He was 53. Ryan had been presenting The Gerry Ryan Show since 1988 and at the time of his death had the largest audience on RTÉ 2fm...
.
He hosted several series of television shows, including Secrets
Secrets (TV series)
Secrets is an RTÉ television light entertainment show hosted by Gerry Ryan that was broadcast on Saturday evenings for three series between 1990 and 1993. The studio-based show allowed viewers and audience members to realise their ambitions and dreams....
, Gerry Ryan Tonight, Ryantown
Ryantown
Ryantown was an RTÉ television light entertainment show hosted by Gerry Ryan that was broadcast on Saturday evenings for one series between 1993 and 1994. It was set in Gerry Ryan’s house in the fictional Ryantown. The show was broadcast during the autumn-spring season.-History:Following on from...
, Gerry Ryan's Hitlist, Operation Transformation
Operation Transformation (TV series)
Operation Transformation is an Irish health and fitness programme. The show is a cross-media event broadcast via radio, web and television on RTÉ 2fm, RTÉ.ie and RTÉ One since 2008...
and Ryan Confidential
Ryan Confidential
Ryan Confidential was an Irish home-produced television programme broadcast on RTÉ One. It was presented by Gerry Ryan, until his unexpected death at the age of 53 on 30 April 2010. The programme was created by the producer David Blake Knox....
Ryan was also noted for co-presenting Eurovision Song Contest 1994
Eurovision Song Contest 1994
The Eurovision Song Contest 1994 was the 39th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 30 April 1994 in the Point Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. The presenters were Cynthia Ní Mhurchú and Gerry Ryan. The pair hosted the evening in French, English and Irish...
and, in 2008, he presented an edition of The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show, sometimes referred to as The Late Late, or in some cases by the acronym LLS, is the world's longest-running chat show by the same broadcaster and the official flagship television programme of Irish broadcasting company RTÉ...
, television's longest-running chat show.
Ryan's style was considered by some to be that of a motor-mouth shock jock
Shock jock
Shock jock is a slang term used to describe a type of any radio broadcaster who attracts attention using humor that a significant portion of the listening audience may find offensive. The term is usually used pejoratively to describe provocative or irreverent broadcasters whose mannerisms,...
. The Gerry Ryan Show was subject to several upheld complaints to the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland was established on 1 October 2009 effectively replacing the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland ....
(BCI), although once escaped punishment when he said "Would it be considered blasphemous if someone said on air that 'God is a bollocks?'". Ryan was noted for the enjoyment he took in discussing topics such as sex, bodily functions, and food - as well as current social and political issues. PR guru Max Clifford
Max Clifford
Maxwell Frank Clifford is an English publicist, considered the highest-profile and best-known publicist in the United Kingdom...
observed he could have, like Graham Norton
Graham Norton
Graham William Walker, known by his stage name Graham Norton , is an Irish actor, comedian, television presenter and columnist...
and Terry Wogan
Terry Wogan
Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career...
, had a successful broadcasting career in the UK and said he was similar to "Michael Parkinson
Michael Parkinson
Sir Michael Parkinson, CBE is an English broadcaster, journalist and author. He presented his interview programme, Parkinson, from 1971 to 1982 and from 1998 to 2007.- Early life :...
at his best".
Ryan was found dead in his Dublin apartment on 30 April 2010. An inquest adjudged his death to have been caused by cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
and alcohol consumption.
Early life
Ryan was born in Dublin in 1956. His father, Vinnie, was a "slightly eccentric" dentistDentistry
Dentistry is the branch of medicine that is involved in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. Dentistry is widely considered...
from a Presbyterian
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
background and his mother, Maureen, "a flamboyant woman" who came from a theatrical background and worked in the theatre
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
. His godfather was broadcaster Eamonn Andrews
Eamonn Andrews
Eamonn Andrews, CBE , was an Irish television presenter based in the United Kingdom.-Life and career:...
. He learnt to shoot with Charles Haughey
Charles Haughey
Charles James "Charlie" Haughey was Taoiseach of Ireland, serving three terms in office . He was also the fourth leader of Fianna Fáil...
's children. He had two brothers, Michael and Vincent. He was educated at St Paul's College, Raheny
St Paul's College, Raheny
St. Paul’s College in Raheny, Dublin is a Roman Catholic secondary school for boys under the trusteeship of the Vincentian Fathers . The college was established in 1950....
. Ryan's mother died on Christmas day 2006.
Early career
Early in his career, Ryan was involved part-time in pirate radioPirate radio
Pirate radio is illegal or unregulated radio transmission. The term is most commonly used to describe illegal broadcasting for entertainment or political purposes, but is also sometimes used for illegal two-way radio operation...
- presenting a selection of programmes firstly for Alternative Radio Dublin (ARD) and then for Big D. When Radio 2 (now RTÉ 2fm) was launched in 1979, Ryan joined RTÉ as a DJ where he presented a selection of speech- and music-based programmes, including Here Comes the Weekend on Friday nights and Saturday Scene on Saturday mornings, which earned him £78 per week. Ryan then moved to a night-time music show called 'Lights out' which accompanied Mark Cagney
Mark Cagney
Mark Cagney was born in Cork, Ireland. Cagney was one of eight children in the family; he left home at age 15 because of difficulties with his father, who he described as a "remarkable man": an inventor, a musician, a welder, a mechanic, and a lecturer in electronics. Cagney learned how to take...
's grown-up album programme and Dave Fanning
Dave Fanning
Dave Fanning is an Irish rock journalist, DJ, retired film critic and veteran broadcaster. He currently hosts The 11th Hour on RTÉ Two and two radio shows: Drivetime with Dave on RTÉ Radio 1 and The Dave Fanning Show on RTÉ 2fm. He also fills in for other presenters on RTÉ Radio, including acting...
's The Rock Show as part of Radio 2's night-time line-up. The trio brought their shows on tour around Ireland. Ryan said they dressed as if they were in a band and behaved as such as well, booking into "awful hotels", drinking heavily and staying out late in "dodgy nightclubs". Their excessive talking has led to Ryan dubbing them "the three big-mouths on at night-time". They were good friends; Fanning was "a kind of hyperactive, Southside
Southside (Dublin)
The Southside is not an official administrative area but a colloquial term referring to the area of County Dublin bounded to the north by the River Liffey to the east by Dublin Bay, to the south and west by the boundaries of County Dublin...
rock guru" and Cagney was "this obsessive, meticulous Corkman who would annotate every single millisecond of what he played on-air". The trio also started to put on live shows, some of which Ryan described as being attended by crowds of 20,000.
"Lambo" incident
In 1987, Ryan and a group of volunteers spent time in the countryside of ConnemaraConnemara
Connemara is a district in the west of Ireland consisting of a broad peninsula between Killary Harbour and Kilkieran Bay in the west of County Galway.-Overview:...
as part of The Gay Byrne Show
The Gay Byrne Show
The Gay Byrne Show was an Irish radio programme, which ran from 1973 until 1998. The programme was presented by Gay Byrne, and aired Monday to Friday for two hours each day. It was a favourite of Irish housewives...
. Ryan claimed to have killed and eaten a lamb to survive, earning him the nickname "Lambo", though the story turned out to be a hoax.
The Gerry Ryan Show
Ryan's show, The Gerry Ryan Show, began in March 1988 when he was offered a three-hour morning radio slot. The G. Ryan Show, running from 09:00–12:00 on weekday mornings, consisted of interviews and phone-ins via the "Ryan Line". He began by discussing the headlines of that morning's newspapers. Following the news update at 10:00, Ryan introduced that morning's Nob NationNob Nation
Nob Nation is the title of a series of topical comedy pieces broadcast since November 2006 on two national radio stations in Ireland, RTÉ 2fm and RTÉ Radio 1. The programmes are broadcast Monday through Saturday each week...
, a satirical slot which featured impersonations of politicians and RTÉ media personnel comparable to rival station Today FM's Gift Grub
Gift Grub
Gift Grub is a series of short comic pieces broadcast on weekdays on the breakfast show of Irish commercial radio station Today FM since 8 May 1999...
. Ryan presented RTÉ 2fm's only show which was regularly among the top twenty Irish radio shows in Ireland, a show which commanded around €4-5 million for RTÉ per annum, mainly through advertising (one thirty-second advertisement during the show cost €900). This meant RTÉ would have earned €27,000 through advertising from Ryan per day.
The defining moment of the show came in 1993, when a rape victim, Lavinia Kerwick, rang GRS to air her feelings. For the first time it occurred to Ryan that the story was more important than the question. Since then The Ryan Show became something of a national institution as the oldest show still running on 2fm. Despite repeated reshuffles which have seen all other presenters shifted around, RTÉ have never moved The Ryan Show from its traditional slot.
In 1997, Ryan's wife Morah, from whom he later separated, phoned her husband's show and, under the name Norah, told half a million listeners that her husband dumps his underpants on the floor before hopping into bed every night, doesn't put his clothes on hangers, had not cleaned the dog's mess from the back yard for weeks and never puts the rubbish out for the dustbin men. When she was done she asked her husband: "You would do that now, wouldn't you Gerry?" The interview was nearing its finish when he realised what was happening after hearing his crew laughing in the Montrose control room. An embarrassed Ryan informed his listeners: "This is my wife talking".
In 2004, Ryan caused uproar when he cancelled an interview with the Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
of the time, Bertie Ahern
Bertie Ahern
Patrick Bartholomew "Bertie" Ahern is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 26 June 1997 to 7 May 2008....
at very short notice.
Following Ryan's death, British broadcaster Chris Evans credited The Gerry Ryan Show with inspiring him while on a holiday in Killarney
Killarney
Killarney is a town in County Kerry, southwestern Ireland. The town is located north of the MacGillicuddy Reeks, on the northeastern shore of the Lough Lein/Leane which are part of Killarney National Park. The town and its surrounding region are home to St...
.
In October 1990, Ryan received a Jacob's Award for The Gerry Ryan Show, described at the award ceremony as "unbelievably bizarre and unprecedented - and at the same time being serious, hilarious and unpredictable".
Television career
Ryan hosted several series of television shows during his career.Secrets
Secrets (TV series)
Secrets is an RTÉ television light entertainment show hosted by Gerry Ryan that was broadcast on Saturday evenings for three series between 1990 and 1993. The studio-based show allowed viewers and audience members to realise their ambitions and dreams....
was a popular Saturday night show which was not well received by critics. The producer, Kevin Linehan, was removed from the show to work on the Millstreet Eurovision
Eurovision Song Contest 1993
The Eurovision Song Contest 1993 was the 38th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 15 May 1993 in Millstreet, County Cork, Ireland. The presenter was Fionnuala Sweeney. Niamh Kavanagh was the winner of this Eurovision for Ireland with the song, "In Your Eyes"...
and asked Ryan to co-present the event with Fionnuala Sweeney
Fionnuala Sweeney
Fionnuala Sweeney is an Irish anchorwoman and reporter for CNN International. She is an anchor and correspondent, based at the network's headquarters in Atlanta. Sweeney is the primary substitute anchor for Isha Sesay in the 10 a.m. ET/4 p.m CET edition of International Desk, the fast-paced...
. They later met and Linehan informed Ryan that RTÉ had objected to his proposal. He did, however, co-present the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest 1994
The Eurovision Song Contest 1994 was the 39th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 30 April 1994 in the Point Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. The presenters were Cynthia Ní Mhurchú and Gerry Ryan. The pair hosted the evening in French, English and Irish...
alongside Cynthia Ní Mhurchú
Cynthia Ní Mhurchú
Cynthia Ní Mhurchú is an Irish barrister from Carlow and previously a broadcaster with Raidió Teilifís Éireann . She presented Eurovision Song Contest 1994 in Dublin along with Gerry Ryan....
where he had the honour of introducing Riverdance
Riverdance
Riverdance is a theatrical show consisting of traditional Irish stepdancing, notable for its rapid leg movements while body and arms are kept largely stationary. It originated as an interval performance during the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, a moment that is still considered a significant...
as the interval act. He had watched Michael Flatley
Michael Flatley
Michael Ryan Flatley is an American Irish dancer, choreographer, actor, musician and occasional television presenter. He became internationally known for Irish dance shows Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames, and Celtic Tiger...
and Jean Butler
Jean Butler
Jean Butler , is an Irish American Irish dancer, choreographer, and occasional actress. She is best known for originating the principal female role in the Irish dance company Riverdance.-Personal life and education:...
put the act together, choreographing it and rehearsing it "fifty or sixty times" and later wrote of being offered the opportunity to invest a stake of £20,000 in the act. Ryan turned it down, a decision he later admitted regretting. Ní Mhurchú later credited Ryan with telling her to not take herself too seriously. Ryan had previously been involved with both the 1986 and 1990 Contest
Eurovision Song Contest 1990
The Eurovision Song Contest 1990, the 35th in the series, was held in Zagreb, Yugoslavia on 5 May 1990. The presenters were Helga Vlahović Brnobić and Oliver Mlakar. Toto Cutugno was the winner of this contest with the song "Insieme: 1992"...
providing both television and radio commentary for RTÉ, he also provided the RTÉ Radio commentary for the 2002
Eurovision Song Contest 2002
The Eurovision Song Contest 2002 was the 47th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place on 25 May 2002 at the Saku Suurhall Arena in Tallinn, Estonia....
and the 2003 Contest.
The presenter describes Ryantown
Ryantown
Ryantown was an RTÉ television light entertainment show hosted by Gerry Ryan that was broadcast on Saturday evenings for one series between 1993 and 1994. It was set in Gerry Ryan’s house in the fictional Ryantown. The show was broadcast during the autumn-spring season.-History:Following on from...
as "the worst television experience I've ever had in my entire life", with producer Julie Parsons (who had previously worked on The Gay Byrne Hour) nearly having a nervous breakdown, according to Ryan. He described RTÉ as "extremely unhelpful".
"Suggestions would arrive at our production meetings: maybe Gerry should wear a hat. Maybe Gerry should sit down. Maybe Gerry should run around more."Ryan unsuccessfully pleaded with RTÉ to cancel midway through the series.
Gerry Ryan Tonight
Gerry Ryan Tonight
Gerry Ryan Tonight is an Irish chat show hosted by Gerry Ryan that aired for three series on Network 2 between 1995 and 1997. The studio-based show featured guest interviews and live music. Gerry Ryan Tonight aired twice weekly for the first series and once a week for all subsequent series....
was a chat show that aired two nights per week. Ryan describes it as "no less traumatic" as it nearly cost him his close personal friendship with the producer Ferdia McAnna.
Ryan was touted to be the successor to Gay Byrne
Gay Byrne
Gabriel Mary "Gay" Byrne is a veteran Irish presenter of radio and television. His most notable role was first host of The Late Late Show over a 37-year period spanning 1962 until 1999...
following his departure from The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show, sometimes referred to as The Late Late, or in some cases by the acronym LLS, is the world's longest-running chat show by the same broadcaster and the official flagship television programme of Irish broadcasting company RTÉ...
. Reports that Ryan was to be made producer as well as presenter and given a deal worth £500,000 – higher earnings than Byrne received – proved unfounded when Pat Kenny
Pat Kenny
Patrick "Pat" Kenny is an Irish broadcaster and former disc jockey and continuity announcer. He is employed by Raidió Teilifís Éireann and is their highest paid presenter. He presents Today with Pat Kenny on RTÉ Radio 1 each weekday morning between 10:00 and midday...
took over the role in 1999.
Recent TV work included Gerry Ryan's Hitlist, Ryan Confidential
Ryan Confidential
Ryan Confidential was an Irish home-produced television programme broadcast on RTÉ One. It was presented by Gerry Ryan, until his unexpected death at the age of 53 on 30 April 2010. The programme was created by the producer David Blake Knox....
, and Operation Transformation
Operation Transformation (TV series)
Operation Transformation is an Irish health and fitness programme. The show is a cross-media event broadcast via radio, web and television on RTÉ 2fm, RTÉ.ie and RTÉ One since 2008...
. Ryan said the critics were not as vocal anymore although he puts this down to them "mostly... ignoring me". Ryan is also noted for presenting The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show, sometimes referred to as The Late Late, or in some cases by the acronym LLS, is the world's longest-running chat show by the same broadcaster and the official flagship television programme of Irish broadcasting company RTÉ...
on 24 October 2008 when regular presenter Pat Kenny
Pat Kenny
Patrick "Pat" Kenny is an Irish broadcaster and former disc jockey and continuity announcer. He is employed by Raidió Teilifís Éireann and is their highest paid presenter. He presents Today with Pat Kenny on RTÉ Radio 1 each weekday morning between 10:00 and midday...
became bereaved. In positive notices unusual as per his television career, Ryan received praise for his guest role, even coping well with the traditionally difficult comedian Tommy Tiernan
Tommy Tiernan
Tommy Tiernan is an Irish comedian, actor and writer. He and Hector Ó hEochagáin present The Tommy and Hector Show on i102-104FM. Tiernan also featured in Father Ted.-Early life:...
whose appearances on the show with Kenny led to complaints. The edition of The Late Late Show that he hosted had the largest audience of any that season apart from the annual edition of The Late Late Toy Show
The Late Late Toy Show
The Late Late Toy Show—also known as The Toy Show— is an annual iconic and influential Irish institution, an edition of the world's longest-running chat show, The Late Late Show broadcast on RTÉ One in Ireland each Friday evening. The Toy Show, as it is referred to, is broadcast in late...
.
The Evening Herald
Evening Herald
The Evening Herald is a mid-market tabloid evening newspaper published in Dublin, Ireland by Independent News & Media. It is published Monday-Saturday, and has three editions — City Edition, City Final Edition and National Edition...
reported that when Tonight with Craig Doyle
Tonight with Craig Doyle
Tonight with Craig Doyle is an Irish chat show hosted by Craig Doyle that was broadcast on RTÉ One for one series in 2010. The show featured guest interviews, audience participation and live music...
finished, Ryan was set to present a chat show in autumn 2010.
Autobiography
In the early part of 2008, Ryan announced that he had been contracted by Penguin to write his autobiography. The €100,000 advance paid by Penguin to Ryan was reported to be the largest ever paid for a book published in Ireland. Would the Real Gerry Ryan Please Stand Up was released to Irish readers on 16 October 2008. In January 2009, it was reported that the book has sold just over 10,000 copies.Earnings
Ryan earned €487,492 from RTÉ in 2004, making him the second highest paid presenter to colleague Pat KennyPat Kenny
Patrick "Pat" Kenny is an Irish broadcaster and former disc jockey and continuity announcer. He is employed by Raidió Teilifís Éireann and is their highest paid presenter. He presents Today with Pat Kenny on RTÉ Radio 1 each weekday morning between 10:00 and midday...
. He earned €462,442 in 2003, and €601,882 in 2002. RTÉ offered Ryan a new five year contract worth €600,000 a year in July 2007. Ryan said that just before this he came very close to signing a deal with Denis O'Brien
Denis O'Brien
Denis O'Brien is an Irish businessman with international connections. An Arts graduate of University College Dublin, O'Brien has received a MBA in corporate finance from Boston College in 1982, and was later given an honorary doctorate by University College Dublin.O'Brien has involvement with...
to present a daytime programme on Newstalk which was about to go national. He was offered several millions more than RTÉ were offering him. Ryan considered the deal, thinking of how one of his best friends Willie O'Reilly was head of sister station Today FM
Today FM
Radio Ireland Ltd, trading as 100-102 Today FM is an Irish commercial FM radio station which is available nationally. The station, which commenced broadcasting on Saint Patrick's Day in 1997, can be received nationally and carries a mix of music and talk...
and was heavily involved with the other stations. However negotiations fell apart as Ryan cautioned on how delicate the situation was, with RTÉ looking at his contract and deciding if he was of value to them anymore. O'Brien allegedly disappeared and Ryan was told he was out of coverage. The irony was not lost on him – "pretty incredible for a guy who owns most of the world's mobile telephones". O'Brien did eventually return but Ryan had already signed the RTÉ contract.
In February 2009 Ryan refused to take a 10% pay cut from RTÉ, even as several other employees in RTÉ took such pay cuts, and declared it "bullshit". On 10 March 2009 he gave a lengthy speech on his radio show, at the end of which he declared he would agree to break his existing contract with RTÉ, and take a pay cut. He was not technically a member of RTÉ staff but was paid through a separate company, enabling Ryan and RTÉ to avoid paying as much tax on his salary.
Personal life
Ryan was married for 26 years to his wife Morah, with whom he had five children: Lottie, (born 1987), Rex, (born 1990), Bonnie, (born 1993), Elliott, (born 1997), and Babette,(born 2000). When he worked for the pirate radio station Big D, Morah helped him with his programme. She helped her future husband put the music together and carry the equipment. He paid her £3 out of the £15 he earned.When they first married, the Ryans had very little money. Pat Kenny
Pat Kenny
Patrick "Pat" Kenny is an Irish broadcaster and former disc jockey and continuity announcer. He is employed by Raidió Teilifís Éireann and is their highest paid presenter. He presents Today with Pat Kenny on RTÉ Radio 1 each weekday morning between 10:00 and midday...
gave up a bed for Ryan and his wife to use while on honeymoon in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. Ryan obtained a mortgage by lying about his salary and bought a little house in Marino
Marino, Dublin
Marino is a Northside suburb located in Dublin, Ireland.-Location and access:Marino encompasses the area within the boundaries of Sion Hill Road, Gracepark Road, Philipsburgh Avenue , Malahide Road and Shelmartin Terrace. Marino borders other Northside areas such as Fairview, Donnycarney and...
. The couple had some difficulty making their payments and they were constantly receiving reminders and even notices of foreclosure.
In March 2008, Ryan announced he and Morah were separating,, and called the separation a very painful experience.
He began a relationship with the former South African Ambassador to Ireland and UNICEF Ireland
UNICEF Ireland
UNICEF Ireland, also known as the Irish National Committee for UNICEF, is one of 36 UNICEF National Committees based in industrialised countries.The National Committees raise funds for the organisation's worldwide emergency and development work....
executive director, Melanie Verwoerd. Melanie Verwoerd has said she was “deeply shocked” to have been sacked from the charity because of the publicity surrounding her relationship with the late broadcaster.
It was claimed that Ryan was known by some to be a cocaine user, allegedly offering to the former RTE Radio DJ Gareth O'Callaghan.
Ryan's former sister in law, Janice O'Brien said that;
"Many people who knew Gerry knew he took drugs. It was an accepted open secret for years. He used everywhere -- birthday parties, Christmas parties. I'm not the only person in the world that knows this,"
Health
Ryan spent several days on a drip in hospital in 2006 due to dehydration after contracting the winter vomiting bug.He also underwent a much-publicised vasectomy
Vasectomy
Vasectomy is a surgical procedure for male sterilization and/or permanent birth control. During the procedure, the vasa deferentia of a man are severed, and then tied/sealed in a manner such to prevent sperm from entering into the seminal stream...
which resulted in an infected wound.
Ryan was noted for his love of fine food and wine. He was battling a weight problem for several years, and had been taking Reductil (Sibutramine), a "slimming pill", which he said was effective and safe. Ryan conceded in his autobiography he drank too much for his own good.
Death
Ryan spoke of feeling ill on the night of 29 April 2010, and cancelled several appointments on that night. He was found dead in the bedroom of his Leeson StreetLeeson Street
Leeson Street is a thoroughfare near central Dublin, Ireland.Originally known as Suesey Street, it was renamed in 1728 after the Leesons, a family of local brewers, who branched into property development and subsequently became Earls of Milltown....
, Dublin apartment by his partner on the following afternoon,
Ryan's family issued the following statement to the public: “Gerry Ryan died today. Morah and his children are in complete shock. Please respect their privacy.”
President
President of Ireland
The President of Ireland is the head of state of Ireland. The President is usually directly elected by the people for seven years, and can be elected for a maximum of two terms. The presidency is largely a ceremonial office, but the President does exercise certain limited powers with absolute...
Mary McAleese
Mary McAleese
Mary Patricia McAleese served as the eighth President of Ireland from 1997 to 2011. She was the second female president and was first elected in 1997 succeeding Mary Robinson, making McAleese the world's first woman to succeed another as president. She was re-elected unopposed for a second term in...
and many political figures issued regrets at Ryan's passing. Fellow RTÉ broadcasters Gay Byrne
Gay Byrne
Gabriel Mary "Gay" Byrne is a veteran Irish presenter of radio and television. His most notable role was first host of The Late Late Show over a 37-year period spanning 1962 until 1999...
, Pat Kenny
Pat Kenny
Patrick "Pat" Kenny is an Irish broadcaster and former disc jockey and continuity announcer. He is employed by Raidió Teilifís Éireann and is their highest paid presenter. He presents Today with Pat Kenny on RTÉ Radio 1 each weekday morning between 10:00 and midday...
, Larry Gogan
Larry Gogan
Laurence 'Larry' Gogan is an Irish broadcaster working for Raidió Teilifís Éireann . He is a disc jockey on RTÉ 2fm. His show is The Golden Hour, during which Larry plays old favourites and classic songs from yesteryear. Gogan spun the first disc on Radio 2, Like Clockwork by The Boomtown Rats...
, Joe Duffy
Joe Duffy
Joseph "Joe" Duffy is an Irish broadcaster employed by Raidió Teilifís Éireann . A Jacob's Award winner, he is the current presenter of Liveline, which is broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1, Monday - Fridays between 13:45 and 15:00.Duffy has a history as a student activist; he was President of the Union of...
, Dave Fanning
Dave Fanning
Dave Fanning is an Irish rock journalist, DJ, retired film critic and veteran broadcaster. He currently hosts The 11th Hour on RTÉ Two and two radio shows: Drivetime with Dave on RTÉ Radio 1 and The Dave Fanning Show on RTÉ 2fm. He also fills in for other presenters on RTÉ Radio, including acting...
and Ryan Tubridy
Ryan Tubridy
Ryan Tubridy , affectionately known as "Tubs", is an Irish broadcaster and writer, a presenter of live shows on radio and television in Ireland. He has been described as "one of Ireland's most gifted broadcasters"...
also expressed their regrets. Chris Evans of BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
also paid tribute. RTÉ Radio 1
RTÉ Radio 1
RTÉ Radio 1 is the principal radio channel of Irish public-service broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann and is the direct descendant of Dublin radio station 2RN, which began broadcasting on a regular basis on 1 January 1926...
cut short their afternoon show for a special tribute programme on Drivetime
Drivetime (RTÉ)
Drivetime is an Irish news and current affairs radio programme broadcast by RTÉ Radio 1 on Mondays to Fridays between 16.30 and 19.00. It attracts approximately 229,000 listeners daily....
. Bono
Bono
Paul David Hewson , most commonly known by his stage name Bono , is an Irish singer, musician, and humanitarian best known for being the main vocalist of the Dublin-based rock band U2. Bono was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, and attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School where he met his...
also expressed his sympathy.
Director-General of RTÉ
Director-General of RTÉ
The Director-General of Raidió Teilifís Éireann is chief executive and editor in chief of RTÉ. The current Director-General is Noel Curran, and is the most senior person in the Public Service Broadcaster, Noel Curran replaced Cathal Goan in the role in February 2011.The RTÉ Board appoints the...
Cathal Goan
Cathal Goan
Cathal Goan is a radio and television producer. He played a main role in the launch of TG4. He was appointed Director-General of RTÉ in 2003, announcing his departure in 2010....
, Managing Director of RTÉ Radio, Clare Duignan, and RTÉ Chairperson Tom Savage
Tom Savage (Irish media figure)
Tom Savage is chairman of the RTÉ Board, which oversees Ireland's state broadcaster, and chairman of Irish media consultancy group The Communications Clinic.-Early Years:...
all released statements on RTÉ.ie
Rte.ie
RTÉ.ie is the brand name and home of RTÉ's online activities, located at the URL http://rte.ie. The site began publishing on 26 May 1996. According to RTÉ, it operates on an entirely commercial basis, receiving none of the licence fee which funds much of RTÉ's activity. The site, it says, is funded...
. Marian Finucane
Marian Finucane
Marian Finucane is an Irish broadcaster with Raidió Teilifís Éireann . She has worked with the national broadcaster since in 1976, starting as a continuity announcer. She was the first presenter of Liveline...
spoke of meeting him on the Tuesday before his death, considering him to be stressed.
Fans also added their condolences to a memorial website set up in his memory. RTÉ colleagues discussed his life on The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show, sometimes referred to as The Late Late, or in some cases by the acronym LLS, is the world's longest-running chat show by the same broadcaster and the official flagship television programme of Irish broadcasting company RTÉ...
. A two-hour radio programme presented by Evelyn O'Rourke
Evelyn O'Rourke
Evelyn O'Rourke is an Irish radio researcher, roving reporter, presenter and television personality employed by RTÉ and from Dublin.O'Rourke joined RTÉ in 1998 and featured as a researcher on The Gay Byrne Show and The Arts Show on RTÉ Radio 1 before moving on to become roving reporter on Today...
was broadcast on RTÉ 2fm on 1 May 2010. A book of condolences was opened in the RTÉ Radio Centre, in Donnybrook, Dublin,
Following the announcement of the findings into Ryan's death and its relationship with cocaine consumption at the inquest on 10 December 2010, the broadcaster was involved in further controversy due to his outspoken views against drug use. Details of Ryan's cocaine habit reversed the sympathetic outpourings of the public at the time of his death. Journalist Kevin Myers
Kevin Myers
Kevin Myers is an Irish journalist and writer. He writes for the Irish Independent and is a former contributor to The Irish Times, where he wrote the "An Irishman's Diary" opinion column several times weekly...
stated, "He was also a criminal fool, and an enemy of all that's decent and honourable and true in society".
External links
- The Gerry Ryan Show – Home website
- The Gerry Ryan Show – Audio archive
Commentary on Gerry Ryan:
- Sunday Tribune – Review of Daily Mail's serialisation of his autobiography
- Sunday Business Post – earnings and personality
- The Irish Times – declining listenership
- Irish Independent – declining listenership
The Irish Times, 16 May 2008 – impressive growth in Ryan's audience.
Obituaries:
- Gerry Ryan - In Pictures – RTÉ
- BBC obituary
- "Gerry Ryan R.I.P." – Hot PressHot PressHot Press is a fortnightly music and political magazine based in Dublin, Ireland founded in 1977. The magazine has been edited since its inception by Niall Stokes. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it had a circulation of 19,215 during 2007...
- "Ireland mourns loss of top broadcaster Gerry Ryan, found dead in Dublin apartment aged 53" – Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles TimesThe Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
- "Top Irish broadcaster Gerry Ryan dies at 53" – The Vancouver SunThe Vancouver SunThe Vancouver Sun is a daily newspaper first published in the Canadian province of British Columbia on February 12, 1912. The paper is currently published by the Pacific Newspaper Group, a division of Postmedia Network. It is published six days a week, Monday to Saturday...
- "Tributes pour in after broadcaster Ryan found dead" – The Times