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TODAY MARKS 25 years since Gerry Ryan first opened his Ryanline to the nation.
For three hours every weekday morning he invited listeners to call him with their stories, problems and opinions, right up to the day of his death in April 2010.
Here’s a look at some of the highlights from his 22 years behind the microphone.
After her attacker was given a suspended sentence, rape victim Lavinia Kerwick gave up her anonymity after her sister rang The Gerry Ryan Show in 1993. Lavinia went on to appear on the show to tell her story, and became the first Irish rape victim to go public.
Gerry Ryan was credited with handling the issue and Kerwick credited him with helping him to tell her story.
Lavinia Kerwick pictured with writer Micheline McCormack at the launch of her book in 1997 (Photocall Ireland)
2. Underpants on the floor
In 1997 Ryan’s then-wife Morah called the show under a fake name and described how her husband left his underpants on the floor and never put the bins out, among other things.
She asked her husband, who was unaware who he was speaking to:
You wouldn’t do that now, would you Gerry?
It wasn’t until the end of the interview that he realised what was going on.
Morto.
Gerry and Morah in 2004 (Photocall Ireland)
3. His connection with his listeners
After Gerry Ryan’s death, fans from around the country travelled to RTÉ in Donnybrook and to the Mansion House in Dublin city centre to pay their respect.
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According to this RTÉ news report 2,000 people turned up at the broadcasting HQ in just one day, with some coming from as far away as Cork.
Photocall Ireland
The queue to sign the book of condolence for Gerry Ryan at the Mansion House (Photocall Ireland)
5. Controversy
In 2009 a complaint against Ryan was rejected by the Broadcasting Complaints Commission after he called God “a b*****ks” on air.
He was discussing the new blasphemy laws at the time, and was wondering if calling God such a name would be considered to be in breach.
The BCC didn’t think so, but many listeners complained about the incident.
Ryan was also once forced to apologise after a 10am discussion about vibrators.
Photocall Ireland
6. The last Ryanline
After Gerry Ryan’s death, 2FM hosted a two hour tribute to him, with colleagues Evelyn O’Rourke and Siobhán Haugh leading the memories.
Lavinia Kerwick was one of the many listeners who called the show to remember him, while another called to tell listeners how she had met her husband at one of Gerry’s singles nights.
Wednesday 27 November, 2024
Wednesday 27 November, 2024
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"The Ryanline is open"- Some of Gerry's best radio moments, 25 years on
TODAY MARKS 25 years since Gerry Ryan first opened his Ryanline to the nation.
For three hours every weekday morning he invited listeners to call him with their stories, problems and opinions, right up to the day of his death in April 2010.
Here’s a look at some of the highlights from his 22 years behind the microphone.
H/T to @TalkToJoe1850 for the heads up
1. Lavinia Kerwick
After her attacker was given a suspended sentence, rape victim Lavinia Kerwick gave up her anonymity after her sister rang The Gerry Ryan Show in 1993. Lavinia went on to appear on the show to tell her story, and became the first Irish rape victim to go public.
Gerry Ryan was credited with handling the issue and Kerwick credited him with helping him to tell her story.
Lavinia Kerwick pictured with writer Micheline McCormack at the launch of her book in 1997 (Photocall Ireland)
2. Underpants on the floor
In 1997 Ryan’s then-wife Morah called the show under a fake name and described how her husband left his underpants on the floor and never put the bins out, among other things.
She asked her husband, who was unaware who he was speaking to:
It wasn’t until the end of the interview that he realised what was going on.
Morto.
Gerry and Morah in 2004 (Photocall Ireland)
3. His connection with his listeners
After Gerry Ryan’s death, fans from around the country travelled to RTÉ in Donnybrook and to the Mansion House in Dublin city centre to pay their respect.
According to this RTÉ news report 2,000 people turned up at the broadcasting HQ in just one day, with some coming from as far away as Cork.
Photocall Ireland
The queue to sign the book of condolence for Gerry Ryan at the Mansion House (Photocall Ireland)
5. Controversy
In 2009 a complaint against Ryan was rejected by the Broadcasting Complaints Commission after he called God “a b*****ks” on air.
He was discussing the new blasphemy laws at the time, and was wondering if calling God such a name would be considered to be in breach.
The BCC didn’t think so, but many listeners complained about the incident.
Ryan was also once forced to apologise after a 10am discussion about vibrators.
Photocall Ireland
6. The last Ryanline
After Gerry Ryan’s death, 2FM hosted a two hour tribute to him, with colleagues Evelyn O’Rourke and Siobhán Haugh leading the memories.
Lavinia Kerwick was one of the many listeners who called the show to remember him, while another called to tell listeners how she had met her husband at one of Gerry’s singles nights.
Bono also called to pay his respects:
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