RIP Gerry Ryan

Yesterday, the broadcaster Gerry Ryan passed, as he was found dead in his apartment in Leeson Street, Dublin. The entire nation, and not just the broadcasting world, is in shock after the untimely and tragic death of the presenter, whose experience on RTÉ spanned over two decades. He left us at the age of 53. A moving tribute was offered to him this morning on 2FM, the station which was his home since 1988.

I had the pleasure of being on The Gerry Ryan Show last year as part of my participation of the Sony Ericsson Fanwalk, where I chatted with him about Berlin, where we were at the time, the event and competition itself, and general news about the group itself. Unfortunately, my phone was cut off due to network problems a few minutes after the start of the conversation, so I never quite got to finish it. However, from the start of the call, and any other time I had called or been involved, I remember Gerry offering a very welcoming and interested presence; as many have said as they vent tributes, he was a very welcoming and inviting broadcaster, and as Gerry said in an interview some time ago, he wanted to deliver a feeling that you were "having a talk over a pint, or an argument at the dinner-table"- this is exactly how it felt; he made me feel that I wasn't live on national radio, being listened into my thousands, with many more abroad- he made it feel like a few words and a bit of banter just with him. This was something he was excellent at.

The tribute show on the radio this morning had one contributor stating that "He was there from the start" and that despite changes in the station, "the station changed around him". It is true, and nobody in Ireland will be able to replace Gerry and provide a show that was loved by so many. As someone getting involved, and being somewhat a part of radio and broadcasting, it is clear to see how much of a wonderful entertainer and presenter he was. He will be dearly missed by many, including his "friends" (the listeners) who tuned into the show each day, along with his fellow colleagues.

Sadly, yesterday, the Ryan-line closed. Closed, but not forgotten.

RIP Gerry Ryan.

(You can pay tribute to Gerry: http://www.announcement.ie/3944428)