GERRY RYAN 1956-2010

HIS voice was instantly recognisable and his views instantly rousing, but it was the immediacy and immensity of the shock that followed Gerry Ryan’s death that spoke volumes for the broadcaster’s extraordinary appeal.

Torrents of tributes flooded in from all walks of life for the 53-year-old RTÉ radio and television star who was found dead of a suspected heart attack at his Dublin apartment yesterday.

President Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Brian Cowen led the accolades, applauding the outspoken presenter’s talent behind a microphone and his larger than life personality on and off air.

His RTÉ colleague Joe Duffy said the best word to describe him was “bold”. “He was bold in the sense of being cheeky, bold in the sense of being arrogant but especially bold in the sense of being brave. He was a brave broadcaster.”

The father of five, who presented his top-ratings Gerry Ryan Show on 2FM for 22 years, failed to show up for work yesterday morning after phoning the night before to say he wasn’t feeling well and didn’t know if he would make it in the next day.

But Ryan, who was open about his whiskey drinking and cigar smoking habits, and who struggled with his weight, had often regaled listeners with tales of his health hiccups. Colleagues became seriously anxious about him when he failed to respond to phone calls.

His girlfriend, Melanie Verwoerd, who became his companion after the break- up of his 26-year marriage to Morah in 2008, went to his Upper Leeson Street apartment a few minutes’ drive from the RTÉ studios and after asking nearby workmen to help force open the door, found him dead by his bed.

Gardaí carried out a forensics examination of the scene and are preparing a report for the coroner but they found no obvious suspicious circumstances.

A postmortem was due to be carried out last night and an inquest is expected to be held in the coming months.

RTÉ criticised rival broadcasters’ early announcing of the news.

Head of radio Clare Duignan said RTÉ held back on confirming the story to allow close family and friends to be contacted.

“We didn’t break the news because we did not want those close to him to hear through the radio. The family asked us. It’s unfortunate other media didn’t show the same respect.”

RTÉ is opening its radio centre at Donnybrook in Dublin today and tomorrow to receive the flowers and messages of sympathy from members of the public.