Gerard Ryan | |
|---|---|
 Gerry Ryan pictured at the opening of the Grand Canal Theatre in March 2010, the month before his death. | |
| Born | Gerard Ryan 4 June 1956 |
| Died | 30 April 2010 (aged 53) Leeson Street, Dublin, Ireland |
| Education | St Paul's College, Raheny |
| Alma mater | Trinity College Dublin (LL.B) |
| 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 | Morah Brennan (1982–2008) |
| Partner | Melanie Verwoerd |
| Children | 5 |
Gerard Ryan (4 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 the first three series of 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 home on 30 April 2010.[4][5]
- ^ Monaghan, Gabrielle (2 May 2010). "Gerry Ryan: 'Ireland's cleverest interviewer'". The Sunday Times. London. Retrieved 2 May 2010.[dead link]
- ^ 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.
- ^ Pine, Richard (2 May 2010). "Gerry Ryan obituary". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
- ^ "RTÉ broadcaster Gerry Ryan found dead in Dublin". The Irish Times. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
- ^ "Top Irish Broadcaster Found Dead at Home". Sky News. 30 April 2010. Archived from the original on 3 May 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2010.