Gerry Ryan

For other people named Gerry Ryan, see Gerry Ryan (disambiguation).
Gerard Ryan

Gerry Ryan pictured at the opening of the Grand Canal Theatre in March 2010, the month before his death.
Born Gerard Ryan
(1956-06-04)4 June 1956
Clontarf, County Dublin, Ireland
Died 30 April 2010(2010-04-30) (aged 53)
Leeson Street, Dublin 4
Nationality Irish
Education Law degree
Alma mater Trinity College, Dublin (TCD)
Occupation Broadcaster
Years active 1979–2010
Agent Noel Kelly[1][2]
Notable credit(s) The Gerry Ryan Show
Eurovision Song Contest 1994
Secrets
Ryantown
Gerry Ryan Tonight
Ryan Confidential
Operation Transformation
The Late Late Show (2008)
Spouse(s) Morah Brennan (1982–2008: 5 children)
Partner(s) Melanie Verwoerd
Children Lottie, Rex, Bonnie, Elliott, Babette

Gerard "Gerry" Ryan (5 June 1956 – 30 April 2010) 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 hours before his sudden death. He was presented with a Jacob's Award for this show in 1990.

Ryan hosted several series of television shows, including Secrets, Gerry Ryan Tonight, Ryantown, Gerry Ryan's Hitlist, Ryan Confidential and Operation Transformation. In 1987, he earned notoriety and the moniker "Lambo" after an unpleasant incident in Connemara. He was also noted for co-presenting, with Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Eurovision Song Contest 1994 and, in 2008, presenting an edition of The Late Late Show, television's longest-running chat show, in place of the then regular host Pat Kenny. An autobiography, Would the Real Gerry Ryan Please Stand Up, was published in October 2008.

He married Morah Brennan in 1988 and they had five children: Lottie, Rex, Bonnie, Elliott and Babette.[3] In 1997, Morah famously telephoned her husband's show and, under the name Norah, told half a million listeners intimate details concerning his personal household habits. Gerry and Morah announced their separation in March 2008. He soon began a relationship with the former South African Ambassador to Ireland and the then UNICEF Ireland executive director, Melanie Verwoerd.

Ryan was found dead in his Dublin flat on 30 April 2010.[4][5]

Early life

Ryan was born in Dublin in 1956. He described his father, Vinnie, as a "slightly eccentric" dentist from a Presbyterian background and his mother, Maureen, as "a flamboyant woman" who came from a theatrical background and worked in the theatre.[6] His godfather was broadcaster Eamonn Andrews. He learnt to shoot with Charles Haughey's children.[7] He had two brothers, Michael and Vincent.[8] He was educated at St Paul's College, Raheny.[7] Ryan's mother died on Christmas Day 2006.[8]

Career

Early career

Early in his career, Ryan was involved part-time in pirate radio – presenting a selection of programmes firstly for Alternative Radio Dublin (ARD) and then for Big D. When RTÉ 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".[9] 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 Connemara as part of The Gay Byrne Show.[10] 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.[11] The incident has been adapted for the stage.[12]

The Gerry Ryan Show

Main article: The Gerry Ryan Show

Ryan's style was considered by some to be that of a motor-mouth shock jock.[13] The Gerry Ryan Show was subject to several upheld complaints to the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI),[14][15][16] although once escaped punishment when he said "Would it be considered blasphemous if someone said on air that 'God is a bollocks?'".[17] 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.[18] Disgraced former PR guru Max Clifford claimed, after Ryan's death, 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".[19]

The Gerry Ryan Show, began in March 1988 when he was offered a three-hour morning radio slot. The G. Ryan Show,[20] running from 09:00–12:00 on weekday mornings, consisted of interviews and phone-ins via the "Ryan Line".[21] Each morning he would begin by discussing the headlines of that morning's newspapers. Following the news update at 10:00, Ryan would introduce that morning's Nob Nation, 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).[22] This meant RTÉ would have earned €27,000 through advertising from Ryan per day.[23]

The defining moment of the show came in 1993, when a rape victim, Lavinia Kerwick, rang GRS to air her feelings.[9] 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.[24]

In 1997, Ryan's wife Morah, from whom he later separated, telephoned 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".[25]

In 2004, Ryan caused uproar when he cancelled an interview with the Taoiseach of the time, Bertie Ahern at very short notice.[26]

British broadcaster Chris Evans credited The Gerry Ryan Show with inspiring him to return to radio broadcasting after a long absence while on a holiday in Killarney.[27]

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".[28]

Television career

Gerry Ryan (right) co-presented Eurovision Song Contest 1994 alongside Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, one of the highlights of his television career.

Ryan hosted several series of television shows during his career.

Secrets was a popular Saturday night show which was not well received by critics.[29] 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.[30] 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.[9] Ní Mhurchú later credited Ryan with telling her to not take herself too seriously.[27] 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 contests.

He described 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".

"Suggestions would arrive at our production meetings: maybe Gerry should wear a hat. Maybe Gerry should sit down. Maybe Gerry should run around more." [31]

Ryan unsuccessfully pleaded with RTÉ to cancel midway through the series.

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.[31]

Let Me Entertain You was an amateur talent show in 1999.[32]

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 –[33] proved unfounded when Pat Kenny took over the role in 1999.

Later TV work included Gerry Ryan's Hitlist, Ryan Confidential,[34] and Operation Transformation. Ryan wrote in his 2008 autobiography that his critics were not as vocal any more, although he put this down to them "mostly... ignoring me".[31] He is also noted for presenting The Late Late Show on 24 October 2008 when regular presenter Pat Kenny became bereaved.[35][36] 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.[37]

The Evening Herald reported that when Tonight with Craig Doyle finished, Ryan was set to present a chat show in autumn 2010.[38]

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.[39] 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 had sold just over 10,000 copies.[40]

Earnings

Ryan earned €487,492 from RTÉ in 2004,[41] making him the second highest paid presenter to colleague Pat Kenny. He earned €462,442 in 2003, and €601,882 in 2002.[42] RTÉ offered Ryan a new five-year contract worth €600,000 a year in July 2007.[43] 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 any more. 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.[31]

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".[44] 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.[45][46] 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.[47]

Personal life

Family

Ryan was married for 26 years to his wife Morah, with whom he had five children: Lottie (born c. 1987), Rex (born c. 1990), Bonnie (born c. 1993), Elliott (born c. 1995) and Babette (born c. 2000).[48] 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.[49]

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.[50] 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.

Ryan pictured with his partner Melanie Verwoerd at the opening of the Grand Canal Theatre in March 2010

In March 2008, Ryan announced he and Morah were separating[51][52] and called the separation "a very painful experience".[53]

Later in 2008, he began a relationship with the former South African Ambassador to Ireland and the then UNICEF Ireland executive director, Melanie Verwoerd.[54] In 2011, Melanie Verwoerd said she was "deeply shocked" to have been sacked from the charity because of the publicity surrounding her relationship with the deceased broadcaster.[55]

Health

Ryan spent several days on a drip in hospital in 2006 due to dehydration after contracting the winter vomiting bug.[56] He also underwent a much-publicised vasectomy which resulted in an infected wound.[57]

With Ryan no longer able to defend himself, reports in some tabloids surfaced on his use of cocaine, allegedly offering to the former RTÉ Radio DJ Gareth O'Callaghan.[58][59] Ryan's former sister-in-law, Janice O'Brien said: "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".[60]

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.[61] Ryan conceded in his autobiography that he drank too much for his own good.[62]

Death

Main article: Death of Gerry Ryan

Shortly after midday on 30 April 2010, Ryan was found dead in the bedroom of his home on Leeson Street, Dublin.[63][64]

Among the dignitaries to send tributes were Bono, the Clintons, Taoiseach Brian Cowen and President Mary McAleese.[65][66][67][68][69] The day being Friday, that night's edition of The Late Late Show was promptly given over to discussion of Ryan's life and death.[5][70] 10,000 people from across the country queued to sign books of condolence.[71] His funeral took place on 6 May, and was broadcast on 2fm, the home of Ryan's radio show and a first for the predominantly youthpop-oriented station.[72][73] His death also came sixteen years to the day after he hosted Eurovision 1994.

An inquest showed that the cause of death was cardiac arrhythmia and that traces of cocaine found in Ryan's system were the "likely trigger" of Ryan's death.[74][75][76] A considerable public controversy erupted when Ryan's long-term use of cocaine came to light. RTÉ eventually admitted to having given insufficient coverage of Ryan's cocaine habit in the aftermath of the inquest.[77]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Monaghan, Gabrielle (2 May 2010). "Gerry Ryan: 'Ireland's cleverest interviewer'". The Sunday Times. London. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
  2. ↑ Cummiskey, Gavin (24 April 2010). "Gloves off". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 2 March 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2010. Among others, [Bernard Dunne] is on to Noel Kelly of the celebrity management company, a stable Dunne shares with Ryan Tubridy, Gerry Ryan, Gráinne Seoige, Craig Doyle.
  3. ↑ Pine, Richard (2 May 2010). "Gerry Ryan obituary". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
  4. ↑ "RTÉ broadcaster Gerry Ryan found dead in Dublin". The Irish Times. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  5. 1 2 "Top Irish Broadcaster Found Dead At Home". Sky News. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  6. ↑ Spain, John (16 October 2008). "How Gerry Ryan turned into Mr Smug". Irish Independent. Retrieved 19 October 2008.
  7. 1 2 Daly, Susan (15 October 2008). "The Life of Ryan". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
  8. 1 2 Walsh, Anne-Marie (29 December 2006). "Bono, Farrell pay respects at funeral of Gerry Ryan's 'stoical' mother". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
  9. 1 2 3 Ryan, Gerry. Would the Real Gerry Ryan Please Stand Up (Penguin Ireland, 2008). First published in The Irish Mail on Sunday, 12 October 2008, p. 37
  10. ↑ Taylor, Richie (11 March 2008). "Gerry keeps face after break-up", Irish Independent. Retrieved 27 April 2009.
  11. ↑ "Gerry and Morah to split after 26 years". Irish Examiner. 8 March 2008.
  12. ↑ Blake Knox, Kirsty (4 January 2013). "Gerry's Lambo set to make stage debut". Evening Herald. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  13. ↑ Young, Caoimhe (15 November 1998). "Gerry Ryan: Shock jock who wakes up Ireland to the facts of his life". BNET, originally published in the Sunday Mirror. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
  14. ↑ "110 07 A Canny RTÉ Complaint Decision May 2007". Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  15. ↑ "Decision f) M Keenan Feb03". Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  16. ↑ "189 07 Mr Kevin Conry Summary Complaint". Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  17. ↑ Bray, Allison (24 July 2009). "Watchdog throws out Ryan radio complaint". Irish Independent. Retrieved 25 July 2009.
  18. ↑ Fottrell, Quentin (12 January 2008). "By George, he still hasn't got it". The Irish Times. Retrieved 24 December 2008.
  19. ↑ Sweeney, Ken (3 May 2010). "He could have made it big in Britain, says PR guru". Irish Independent. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
  20. ↑ "Gerry RYAN a perfect 10". Hot Press. 13 May 1998. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
  21. ↑ "Why can't we cope with a little snow?". Evening Herald. 6 February 2009. Retrieved 15 February 2009.
  22. ↑ McGreevy, Ronan (8 May 2010). "How do you replace the irreplaceable?". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 4 March 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  23. ↑ Sweeney, Ken (1 May 2010). "Radio show was €5m cash cow for RTÉ". Irish Independent. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  24. ↑ Corless, Damian (10 March 2007). "Saving Gerry Ryan". Irish Independent. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
  25. ↑ White, Declan (14 December 1997). "Real shocker for shock jock Gerry!". BNET, originally published in the Sunday Mirror. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
  26. ↑ Quigley, Maeve (5 December 2004). "DJ Gerry's Bertie Snub". BNET, originally published in the Sunday Mirror. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
  27. 1 2 McDonagh, Patricia (3 May 2010). "'He rescued my radio career,' says BBC star". Irish Independent. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
  28. ↑ The Irish Times, "Jacob's awards presented", 15 October 1990.
  29. ↑ Last, Jane (26 September 2008). "RTÉ DJ duo hit 'Home Run' as they head for the small screen". Evening Herald. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
  30. ↑ Ryan, Gerry. Would the Real Gerry Ryan Please Stand Up (Penguin Ireland, 2008). First published in The Irish Mail on Sunday, 12 October 2008, pp.35–36
  31. 1 2 3 4 Ryan, Gerry. Would the Real Gerry Ryan Please Stand Up (Penguin Ireland, 2008). First published in The Irish Mail on Sunday, 12 October 2008, p. 36
  32. ↑ Holt, Eddie (23 January 1999). "Greek tragedy for Athina". The Irish Times. There was unbridled aural cruelty on Let Me Entertain You, the new amateur talent contest from RTE and BBC Northern Ireland. It sounds like a screamfest on speed and is full of fiercely orchestrated, manic merriment. The studio audience emits the sort of edgy delirium you might expect if the Nazis were running Butlin's. You don't see any floor managers with cattle-prods but . . . Anyway, it's presented by Gerry Ryan, never a shrinking violet, but even the Montrose Motormouth himself seems barely adequate to the decibel levels required.
  33. ↑ Rockett, Karen (29 June 1997). "GAYBO'S GOING, GOING, GONE!". BNET, originally published in the Sunday Mirror. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
  34. ↑ "Ryan Confidential". RTÉ. Archived from the original on 4 March 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  35. ↑ Prone, Terry (23 October 2008). "Gerry's love of chaos may be a ratings winner for the Late Late Show stand-in". Evening Herald. Retrieved 23 October 2008.
  36. ↑ Byrne, Ciaran (23 October 2008). "Ryan takes on 'Late, Late' as Kenny mourns mother". Irish Independent. Retrieved 23 October 2008.
  37. ↑ "Versatile Gerry Ryan doesn't make a Late Late Show of himself". Evening Herald. 25 October 2008. Retrieved 25 October 2008.
  38. ↑ Nolan, Lorna (1 May 2010). "Gerry's secret joy over his new TV chat show". Evening Herald. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
  39. ↑ Maguire, Stephen (17 February 2008). "EUR100,000 for life of Ryan". BNET, originally published in the Sunday Mirror. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
  40. ↑ Cronin, Brendan (11 January 2009). "Book buyers find Ryan a big turn-off". Sunday Tribune.
  41. ↑ "RTÉ – Top 10 most highly paid on-air broadcasters for 2004" (PDF). RTÉ. 28 June 2006. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
  42. ↑ "Ryan's private savings". The Sunday Business Post. 9 May 2004. (2002 and 2003 salaries).
  43. ↑ Hickey, Shane (27 July 2007). "Ryan lines up €3m pay day: Gerry signs deal to talk for another five years". Irish Independent. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
  44. ↑ Coyle, Colin (7 March 2009). "Ryan Tubridy joins pay-cut volunteers". The Sunday Times. London. Retrieved 9 March 2009.
  45. ↑ "Gerry Ryan to take a pay cut". RTÉ. 10 March 2009. Archived from the original on 4 March 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2009.
  46. ↑ Costello, John (13 March 2009). "Larry Mullen lays Bono bare as Gogan produces pure radio gold". Evening Herald. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
  47. ↑ McConnell, Daniel (7 February 2010). "Tax squeeze on high-paid TV stars". Sunday Independent. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  48. ↑ "'I will miss my dad greatly,' says Gerry Ryan's son". Irish Examiner. 6 May 2010. Archived from the original on 4 March 2015. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  49. ↑ Ryan, Gerry. Would the Real Gerry Ryan Please Stand Up (Penguin Ireland, 2008). First published in The Irish Mail on Sunday, 12 October 2008, p.34
  50. ↑ O'Riordan, Sean (1 May 2010). "Ryan part of 'Holy Trinity'". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 4 March 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  51. ↑ O'Brien, Jason (8 March 2008). "Ryans go their separate (sic) ways". Irish Independent. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
  52. ↑ "Gerry & Morah Ryan end 26-year marriage". RTÉ Arts. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 7 March 2008. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
  53. ↑ "Gerry Ryan: separation was the most painful thing I've ever done". Sunday Tribune. 12 October 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2008.
  54. ↑ Neville, Sarah (6 October 2008). "Could Gerry really be dating the ambassador?". Evening Herald. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  55. ↑ McGreevy, Ronan (25 July 2011). "Former Unicef chief 'deeply shocked' over dismissal". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 4 March 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  56. ↑ "DJ Gerry is laid up with winter vomit bug". Irish Independent. 29 November 2006. Retrieved 3 March 2010.
  57. ↑ Ryan, Gerry. Would the Real Gerry Ryan Please Stand Up (Penguin Ireland, 2008). First published in The Irish Mail on Sunday, 12 October 2008, p.33
  58. ↑ "So how do I know Gerry Ryan had let cocaine take over his life? Because he offered it to me at his own Christmas party". Daily Mail.
  59. ↑ "Gerry Ryan 'took cocaine at work in RTÉ': Tragedy of his addiction revealed". Daily Mail.
  60. ↑ Sweeney, Ken (8 January 2011). "New Ryan drug claims emerge". Irish Independent. Retrieved 8 January 2011.
  61. ↑ Nolan, Larissa (4 March 2007). "Gerry tells how diet tablets have cut him down to size". Sunday Independent. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  62. ↑ "Now Ryan family fear they'll lose their home: Drug link puts payout from life assurance policy at risk". Irish Independent. 13 December 2010. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
  63. ↑ O'Brien, Jason; Brady, Tom (1 May 2010). "Tears for Gerry in apartment after calling in sick to RTÉ". Irish Independent. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  64. ↑ "1994 host Ireland: Gerry Ryan died at the age of 53". escdaily.com. 30 April 2010. Archived from the original on 4 March 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  65. ↑ "Bill's letter to Morah after Gerry's death". Evening Herald. 18 September 2010. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  66. ↑ Sheahan, Fionnan (1 May 2010). "President leads tributes to 'extraordinary' talent". Irish Independent. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  67. ↑ "Book of condolence for Gerry Ryan". BBC News. 2 May 2010. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
  68. ↑ "RTÉ broadcaster Gerry Ryan found dead". RTÉ News. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  69. ↑ "Taoiseach leads tributes to Ryan". The Irish Times. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  70. ↑ McGreevy, Ronan (30 April 2010). "Ryan's 'unconstrained spirit' honoured". The Irish Times. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  71. ↑ Carbery, Genevieve (6 May 2010). "Funeral of Gerry Ryan today". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 4 March 2015. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  72. ↑ "Gerry Ryan funeral arrangements in Dublin announced". BBC News. 4 May 2010. Archived from the original on 2 March 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
  73. ↑ McGreevy, Ronan (5 May 2010). "Funeral Mass for Ryan to be broadcast on 2fm". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 2 March 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
  74. ↑ "Cocaine 'likely trigger' in RTÉ star Gerry Ryan's death". BBC News. 10 December 2010. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
  75. ↑ "Ryan inquest told of cocaine use". The Irish Times. 10 December 2010. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
  76. ↑ Kennedy, Edel (11 December 2010). "Cocaine was likely trigger of abnormal heart rhythm'". Irish Independent. Retrieved 11 December 2010.
  77. ↑ Doyle, Kevin (20 December 2010). "RTÉ admits to mistakes in drugs coverage of Gerry Ryan fallout". Evening Herald. Retrieved 20 December 2010.

External links

Commentary
Obituaries
Media offices
Preceded by
Linda Martin		 Eurovision Song Contest Ireland Commentator
1986 		Succeeded by
Marty Whelan
Preceded by
Republic of Ireland Fionnuala Sweeney		 Eurovision Song Contest presenter
(with Cynthia Ní Mhurchú)
1994 		Succeeded by
Republic of Ireland Mary Kennedy
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