A look back on a game-changer.
A nation is left in mourning after the news of Gay Byrne's passing.
The legendary broadcaster has died aged 85 after being ill for some time.
We take a look back on some of his most memorable moments:
1. Condom Gate
Who can forget this defining moment in Irish television?
During a ‘Late Late Extra’ programme on the AIDS crisis in 1987, Gay Byrne showed viewers and the studio audience exactly what a condom looked like, exclaiming "that is the dreaded object" before his most famous line "would ya roll it there, please".
2. Introducing Boyzone to the world
This clip is iconic for a number of reasons.
That cringey dancing, those torsos... but more memorable was Gay Byrne being totally perplexed that none of these lads could strum a chord on a guitar:
"I was told you don't play instruments at all? None of you?"
3. Basically anytime he was with Dustin
Dustin + Uncle Gaybo = absolute carnage.
You always knew there was going to be divilment when the pair of them appeared on screen together, especially during the Late Late Toy Show special:
4. The Mike Murphy prank
This prank proved that Gaybo could take a laugh at his own expense just like the rest of us.
"Do you understand the expression, f*ck off?"
Brilliant.
5. When he called a competition winner whose daughter had just died
Graham Norton has since described this moment as Gaybo's "greatest hour".
As is the nature of live broadcasting, things can - and often do - go drastically wrong. Gay called a Late Late competition winner to deliver the news that she had won a car, only to find out that the woman’s daughter had died the previous night after being knocked down by a car.
In a clip that would give you goosebumps, he spoke kindly and softly to her about her grief and offered comfort and support.
RIP Gay Byrne. 1934 - 2019
Thanks for the memories.
'For over six decades, he was a towering figure in Irish broadcasting' RTÉ Arts and Media Correspondent @SineadCrowley on broadcasting legend Gay Byrne, who has died at the age of 85 | https://t.co/EyHp2ta3zl pic.twitter.com/dYsoPtszbc
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) November 4, 2019
