Gay Byrne's wife Kathleen Watkins says she can't see him ever making TV return

Kathleen Watkins has said she can’t see her husband Gay Byrne ever making a return to TV
due to the changing nature of the business.

The author added her family are “coping” as best they can as The Late Late Show legend’s battle with cancer is up and down.

Kathleen, 85, has been married to the RTE veteran since 1964, and has been taking care
of him following his diagnosis in 2016.

Gay, 85, has taken a step back from broadcasting and his wife doesn’t expect him to return.

She told Sunday Independent’s Living Magazine: “I can’t see that happening at this time.

“It was some career he had, we have all that memorabilia, a pile of stuff. But life goes on and other people take over.

Gordon Snell (husband of Maeve Binchy) with Gay Byrne and Kathleen Watkins pictured at a special afternoon tea at the Gaiety Theatre held to remember Maeve Binchy and to launch the World Premiere production of Binchy’s Minding Frankie (Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland)

“I think it’s very difficult to broadcast in this era, because I don’t think people are watching
television in the same way.”

And opening up about his health at the minute, Kathleen said: “It’s an ongoing situation, treatment is ongoing.

“We have incredible support from family and friends and we’re lucky as a lot of people our age have family around the world.

“Our two daughters are here, one in Clare, one in Howth. They are like scaffolding around us.”