Legendary broadcaster Gay Byrne has been hospitalised following a heart attack on Monday.
The 81-year-old is said to be recovering well.
The news was confirmed moments ago by RTÉ News on Twitter:
It’s been confirmed that the RTE broadcaster Gay Byrne suffered a heart attack. The 81 year old is said to be recovering well.
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 29, 2015
In a statement issued by RTÉ, the Byrne family asked for their privacy to be respected at this time.
“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”.
The Late Late Show’s first ever host in 1962, Byrne held the reigns of the famous chat show for 37 years. He went on to present ‘The Meaning of Life‘ on RTÉ and currently presents a Monday night show on RTÉ’s Lyric FM.