Facebook shut down Gay Byrne page, suspecting it was fake

Facebook bosses shut down the profile of legendary Irish broadcaster Gay Byrne earlier this week, suspecting it was a fake.

The 77-year-old former Late Late Show host joined the site 10 days ago, quickly amassing a sea of followers, which roused suspicions that it was not a genuine page.

His profile was deactivated by Facebook on Wednesday according to Byrne's daughter Cróna, who has told the Irish Times she and her family were shocked by the move.

But fans can rest easy…After receiving proof that Gay and his family were behind the profile, Facebook reactivated it two days later.