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GARETH O’CALLAGHAN IS stepping down as a presenter on Classic Hits 4fm after being diagnosed with a rare and incurable neurodegenerative illness.
The former 2FM DJ confirmed in a Facebook post this morning that he is battling multiple system atrophy (MSA), sometimes known as Shy-Drager syndrome.
This disorder leads to a deterioration of your brain’s ability to control muscles and limbs as well as actions not controlled consciously, such as blood pressure or digestion.
“It is a rare disease, very progessive and sadly incurable,” O’Callaghan wrote.
“I thought I might have been able to continue working as normal for another few months but unfortunately the pace and the painful decline of this awful thing has really taken us by surprise. I am absolutely devastated by what is happening to me and of all that lies ahead.”
The well-loved DJ said he is learning to take life one day at a time, and is remaining positive:
I’ve always said that life is only a short journey, and that is true – whether you are lucky enough to remain healthy throughout; or you suddenly find you are unexpectedly challenged by something you never thought would happen to you: something that terrifies you and challenges you at every level of your being. I now find myself facing those challenges.
“I will miss being with you on the radio.”
He said the main reason for stepping down is that the progression of MSA, which he describes as ‘disgusting relentless’, is starting to affect his voice.
In March this year the DJ shared with his fans that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease,. The early stages of MSA can be easily mistaken as this more well-known and common condition.
The distinguishing symptoms often include faster progression of the disease, more falls, difficulties with speech, and little improvement when treated with typical Parkinson’s medication.
O’Callaghan’s career started in Dublin pirate radio stations before moving to RTE’s 2FM. He took up his role at Classic Hits 4FM following a stint on Galway Bay FM.
The DJ said he will continue to keep fans updated on his progress on his Facebook page.
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Awful news for him and his family
@Shane Cormican: a pioneer of a man, I loved him in the 90s. One evening he played macy gray ‘I try’ and after it finished he said I love it so much I’m playing it again… and he did…. always great humor, gave mrs browns boys the big break too
@Shane Cormican: He suffered depression too i think. Has not had it easy
@nf: not to sound like a pr”ck but that was the late great Tony Fenton
Very sad. I have great time for this man.
@Jaci Black: Wogan and O Callaghan best Irish radio voices to come on air in 50 years
@Jaci Black: Wogan and O Callaghan best Irish radio voices to come on air
Bar none
@Quentin Moriarty: You are right there Quentin, if ever there was a voice and a true blue, it is Gareth. And we wish him so much hope.
Awful sad thing to happen to such a wonderful man. Best wishes Gareth… I’m sure you are in a lot of Irish peoples thoughts tomorrow
You will be sadly misses on the radio Gareth. I have enjoyed many years listening to you & your good music choices.
A wonderful man, so open about his own struggles over the years and often at personal expense when it came to his career. Good writer, full of empathy, honesty and character. Best of luck to you and yours.
A nice straight talking dj and easy to listen to,sad to hear it.
Dreadful News, he is so popular with so many people. I am so so sorry to hear that.
Dreadful illness, from the blue as well – just one of those things you read about that makes you really appreciate what you have, stops you from taking things for granted.
Best wishes Gareth.
I remember listening to him doing the breakfast show on today fm in the late 90s/early 00s on the way to school. He was a fantastic presenter who easily outclassed his successors. That’s sad news to read on a Saturday morning. Wishing him all the best.
Very sad news. I used to listen to him on 2fm and he sounded like a genuine nice person.
Life can be so cruel to the nicest of people
Gareth is the real deal , a genuine character who will be missed on the airwaves.
Praying for you and your family during this difficult time.
Top drawer presenter from long time listener
One of the best this man is
Some of his radio wind ups back in the day were legendary a true radio entertainer
Such a great DJ, terrible news for him and his family
They just don’t make radio DJ’s/presenters like Gareth anymore. A real DJ.
From the Irish Pirates in the late 1970s, to BBC Radio to RTE and to Independent radio in the past 15 years, he will be missed. He even was on Galway Bay FM!!
Heartbreaking. So sad for this man and his family.
Am listening to Gareth a long time and one of my all time favourite D.Js thoughts with u man.
So so sad. Best wishes Gareth. You will be badly missed .
So sad to hear of this news about Gareth. He had always been a great D.J. first on the afternoon show on 2 FM. and had Brendan O’Carroll Mrs Brown’s Boys first aired. and then on 4 FM. You will be missed.
So sorry ..you will be missed ..
Sadly missed off the radio loved listening to this guy on afternoons and Sunday mornings and when he was with 2fm his voice will never be forgotten take care Gareth
Really gutted to hear this news. He was my favourite on the radio always. I met him a couple of times and he didn’t disappoint. He is a lovely lovely man and definitely a hero of mine.
Gareth, I hope and pray you don’t suffer too much and that there are many good days/times ahead for you.
You are a legend and I will miss your sexy voice. Keep in touch via Facebook. God bless you xx
Love to listen to Gareth in the afternoon. He always comes up with some trivial fact about a song that you would never hear anywhere else.
So so sad l have listened to Gareth over the years and have always liked him. Please God he will get some quality of life he can enjoy. Will really miss him.
Gareth, I hope you get the strength to battle this rare disease and get the chance to complete the tasks that you feel are important to you now. A Great D.J who reached out to his listeners and played fantastic music. Thoughts and prayers with you at this time.
Terrible sad news. He is one of the best radio presenters. A legend.
Gareth has a special tone in his voice that brought calm to many of us.A true Gent who will be sorely missed.
Sorry to hear this, a true gentleman, I hope he makes a full recovery.
Very sad to hear this news about Gareth. Excellent old school dj and comes across as a gentleman also. Will miss his show
So sad to read this, he will be greatly missed from the radio. I love listening to him on Classic hits. Hope he gets to have some amazing adventures over the next few years.
So sad :(
So sorry to hear this he was a joy to listen to none of the self opinionated carry on we hear on radio from jumped up presenters.
Very sad news. And he’s seems a real good person
Was he an author also?
@bings: yes he wrote a book about his journey through depression
Have listened to Garret from 2fm to 4fm over the years, best dj ever, will miss his Sunday morning show, best of luck in the times ahead.
Have listened to Garret from 2fm to 4fm over the years, best ever, will miss his Sunday morning show, best of luck in the times ahead.
Have listened to Garret from 2fm to 4fm over the years, best dj ever, will miss his Sunday morning show, best wishes in the times ahead.
Ah so sad and so sorry for him and his family. I really hope he can find some kind of solus and hope that there may be some help out there somewhere. He is one of my favourite DJ’s and listened to him since the days of pirate radio to present , he will be missed on air. God Bless him
I knew him when he worked on local radio in Galway and he’s an absolute gentleman and a great laugh too…hope he fights this latest setback.
So sad to hear this ,loved his radio programe on 2fm where he’d take the Piss out of some unexpecting listener with his many antics ,God’s blessings Gareth
Ah so sad and so sorry for him and his family. I really hope he can find some kind of solos and hope that there may be some help out there somewhere. He is one of my favourite DJ’s and listened to him since the days of 2fm radio to present , he will be missed on air. God Bless him
Ah so sad and so sorry for him and his family. I really hope he can find some kind of solos and hope that there may be some help out there somewhere. He is one of my favourite DJ’s and listened to him since the days of pirate radio to present , he will be missed on air. God Bless him
Lovely guy. One of the good guys
Heartbreaking.
I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease nearly 4 years ago, at age 51. I had a stooped posture, tremors, muscle stiffness, sleeplessness, and slow movement. I was placed on Sinemet for 7 months and then Sifrol and rotigotine were introduced which replaced the Sinemet but I had to stop due to side effects. I was in denial for a while as there is no history of PD in my family. I also used amantadine, and physical therapy to strengthen muscles all failed. I decided to adopt a more natural approach and started on Parkinson’s Herbal formula from Organic Herbal Clinic, the Parkinson’s natural formula immensely helped my condition, i had a total recovery from PD with this natural herbal formula treatment. Organic Herbal Clinic official web site www . organicherbalclinic . com. I feel alive again!!
So sad to hear of his illness. I was an avid follower of his afternoon show. I will sorely miss him.
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