'I’ll miss him' - Huge sadness as beloved Irish radio presenter dies at 58

Tributes are being paid after the untimely death of beloved Irish radio broadcaster Michael Reade who has died just weeks after revealing his terminal cancer diagnosis to listeners.

Reade was a veteran of the regional airwaves in Louth and Meath and presented his current affairs programme on LMFM for 21 years. 

Last month, he stepped away from the show and released a lengthy statement in which he revealed his terminal diagnosis but said, "there is no sadness around me. All of us are trying to be strong. Trying to be positive and trying to help each other through this - best we can."

Labour TD and friend Ged Nash led tributes after Michael's death was confirmed at the age of just 58.

"My good friend Michael Reade passed away this morning after a short illness, aged 58.

"One of the very finest broadcasters in Ireland, with a social conscience and thirst for justice and fairness that imbued his work and life.

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"Most people will remember Michael as a journalist. I’ll remember him first and foremost as a friend. I’ll miss him.

"My deepest sympathies to Sandra and Luke, and Maggie, Chris and the great team in LMFM who were like family to Michael.

"May he rest in peace."

Michael's heartfelt and detailed statement about his outlook on life and death last month made a huge impact across the country. He thanked listeners and was upbeat despite his prognosis. 

You can read his statement in full below:

"Regular listeners to the station will probably know that I have not been at work in over a month, about 6 weeks now. I know some people listening would like to know why.

"Well, I am not known to stand on ceremony so, I will cut to the chase.

"I am not well. I am actually very sick.

"I have cancer.

"And I am afraid to say that my diagnosis is terminal. It is an illness in other words that I will not be able to recover from.

"Sounds awful, I know, but you know, I’m oddly okay with it. I have reconciled myself with the situation that I find myself in.

"I have accepted what I am facing in to. I know what it means.

"I am not afraid.

"I am not devastated. I wish it wasn’t so, but it is - and this is not open to negotiation. It is not an argument I can win. In fact, there just isn’t any argument to be had.

"I understood this more or less the moment I was told that I am dying.

"You know I thought, I could spend a lot of time being devastated and that, I’m sure, would be understandable to some degree but I thought, I just don’t have enough time left to do that.

"The time that I do have left will be precious and, do I want to use any of it being sad and looking on this as negative?

"Then I thought, I can choose to do that but I do have other choices. I can choose to be devastated or I could just as easily choose that instead of being devastated; to choose, whatever time life will yet offer me, to embrace life. Positively. Finding good, nice, positive things to focus on.

"And there are so many positives my life will offer me yet. It’s true to say that any ambitions I might have had, have had to change in recent weeks and I am now fairly limited in what I can physically do, like, I won’t be able to tick things off my bucket list so I’ve just downgraded my bucket list, if I can put it that way.

"Or have I? Have I even done that?

"I prefer to think, I have a different bucket list now than the one I had a few weeks ago. Different - rather than saying it has been downgraded.

"The situation I am in now is actually a blessing of sorts as now, I am looking at things that might otherwise have passed me by and I am getting so much pleasure from some very basic, simple things. A smiling face or a kind word, a ray of sunshine, breathing fresh air.

"You won’t be surprised to hear how much I’m enjoying just being able to listen to and watch the majestic seagulls around me.

"But being home with the people I love and knowing they love me, is priceless. There is nothing more important to me. Living through, experiencing, what I believe is just a great people-story, as all of my family and friends rally about me. Everyone is parking their sadness and doing what I have asked them to do. That is; to know I am okay with this and that I just want to surround myself now in love and positive vibrations.

"So, there is no sadness around me. All of us are trying to be strong. Trying to be positive and trying to help each other through this - best we can.

"I am not sure when I will get the chance to speak to you again but I do hope to be able to speak to you again soon.

"Right now, though, I have to step back from everything else.

"I will need some space, personal space, personal time, time with my family and the people I love and I hope you will understand that and that you will allow me that space please.

"My first broadcast was 43 years ago. I was just 15 years of age. I am very proud to say that since then I have more or less had a radio programme of my own. I have spent 21 years here in LMFM and while I am prouder than I can say about my programme here, it has honestly been a privilege. A privilege that you listening have given me.

"Thank you for now for that privilege, with my best wishes and of course lots of love and positive vibrations.

"This is Michael Reade...

"Thank you."