Gay Byrne recovers after heart attack

Broadcaster Gay Byrne is recovering in hospital after he suffered a heart attack on Tuesday.

The 81-year-old presenter is said to be making good progress.

Mr Byrne is best known for presenting ‘The Late Late Show’ on Irish television between 1962 and 1999.

While he has been working less and enjoying retirement in recent years he has maintained his profile through his TV show ‘The Meaning of Life’ which probes the religious and spiritual beliefs of guests.

Mr Byrne previously suffered a health scare at his home in Sandymount in 2011.

He was rushed to St Vincent’s emergency department after he suddenly found himself unable to breathe.

“I felt that my lungs were made of concrete and there was nothing going in. I thought I was going to die, I just couldn’t breathe,” he said at the time. Aside from this former incident Mr Byrne maintains that he has always had “robust good health all my life”.

Mr Byrne spent this year’s festive period surrounded by his family and close friends.

“I will be at home,” he said earlier this month.

“I will just sit back, let Christmas happen and enjoy all the relaxing and festivities before ‘The Meaning of Life’ starts back again.”