Hector Ó hEochagáin has announced the sad passing of his brother Freddie.
The presenter’s older brother, Derek ‘Freddie’ Keogan, died suddenly on Sunday in Denmark.
The heartbroken star broke the news online in a statement on Thursday morning, alongside pals Tommy Tiernan and Laurita Blewitt, as they informed fans that there would be no episode of their podcast this week as a mark of respect.
Hector described his beloved brother as "the star of many great adventures and tales" in a touching tribute.
He wrote: "So it's with a sad heart that we bring the news of the sudden passing of Hector's brother Freddie.
"He was the star of many great adventures and tales that were told on this podcast over the last year.
"As a mark of respect to Freddie and his family in Ireland and Denmark, there will be no episode from the Hen House this week.
"Memories and smiles will stay with us forever... Rest in Peace now Freddie."
Freddie’s fiancee, Fiona Guiheen, paid tribute to him on Facebook, saying: “My Freddy left me on Sunday morning to be with the angels.
“My heart is broken into a million pieces."
The Navan native singer/songwriter added: “There are no words for this pain. Fly on my swallow. We will miss you.”
The sad news comes just after Hector, originally from Kells Road, Navan, opened up about feeling “lonely” since the death of his mother in 2015.
The TV and radio personality lost his mum Triona suddenly in January 2015, after she died in her sleep.
His father passed away years before that, but Hector said his mother dying had a bigger emotional toll on him.
Speaking to Doireann Garrihy on her Laughs of Your Life podcast, the 51-year-old said: “I’m lonely now because I’ve lost my mum and my dad.
"I felt lonely since I lost my mum suddenly a couple of years ago and my dad had died 30 years before that.
“But I feel lonely now that me and my brothers are remaining.
"And I feel lonely that I’ve lost my mother, my Irish mother. It’s a different feeling from losing your dad."
He added: “Even though my mum makes me happy when I think of her, I’m sad that I’ve lost my mum. I feel lonely, it’s a hard thing to explain.”
Fans and friends flooded the comment section with condolences for Hector, Fiona and their family in this difficult time.
