Gay Byrne in hospital after suffering heart attack

Veteran broadcaster is ‘recovering well’, according to RTÉ

Gay Byrne in Dublin in May of this year. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill / The Irish Times
Gay Byrne in Dublin in May of this year. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill / The Irish Times

Broadcaster Gay Byrne is recovering in hospital after suffering a heart attack yesterday.

A statement from the national broadcaster last night said: “RTÉ can confirm that Gay Byrne suffered a heart attack yesterday and is recovering well in hospital. The Byrne family have asked for privacy at this time.

“All his friends and colleagues across RTÉ are thinking of him and wish him all the best with his recovery.”

Since his retirement, the 81-year-old broadcaster and former Late Late Show host has continued to broadcast on radio with a weekly show on Lyric FM every Sunday. Byrne also continues his “Meaning of Life” television series, which features interviews with public figures about their beliefs.

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Byrne and his wife Kathleen Watkins live in Sandymount, having moved to the southside suburb from Howth following his retirement. He has two daughters, Suzy and Crona.