GAY Byrne retires as presenter of the Late Late Show after 37 years with his last performance on May 21st and RTE is giving him a big send-off. There will be a gala dinner at the Berkeley Court Hotel in Dublin on the previous Saturday, May 16th, at which colleagues from both radio and television will form the bulk of the 200 guests. The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will be there, as well as party leaders, politicians and personal friends. Mike Murphy will be MC.
Frequently hailed as the world's longest-running live chat show, with the same host, a special programme is planned for May 21st.