Marty Morrissey admits he plays on his "sex symbol" status himself for fun but admitted he is still 'insecure' about his career despite his decades on TV.
Known affectionately as ‘the Marty Party’ after his stint on Dancing with the Stars, the GAA correspondent is one of the most well known and beloved broadcasters in Ireland.
And whilst admitting “I joke that I’m a sex symbol even to myself", the veteran RTE presenter revealed he still experiences moments of insecurity and a need for reassurance in his job to this day.
After a mammoth month of GAA, which saw him commentate on a number of historic provincial wins as well as the Bloody Sunday Centenary commemoration, he said: “You’re contributing in a small way to keeping people entertained, but at the end of the day, it’s all down to the players because without them, we wouldn't be there.”
On his hidden insecurities, the former school teacher added: “To me, Gay Byrne was the king."
Speaking to RTE Guide, he said: “Then when you read his book, you see what he went through. So I think many of us in broadcasting are a little bit insecure.
“We need positive reinforcement, we need to be liked, if that is the right word.
“To this day, if I get a text from one of my bosses saying ‘Well done’, I’d be delighted.
"So that hasn’t changed. Maybe I am a little bit [insecure], although you can’t give that impression because you don’t want it to be seen as a weakness.
“They say you are only as good as your last gig’ and that’s very true in broadcasting.”
Born in Mallow and reared in the Bronx before moving to the West aged 11, Marty is the only child of mum Peggy and his late dad Martin, who were also only children.
And set to publish his first book in the new year, full of personal memories and stories, Marty revealed how he found the death of his father was made harder due to the fact he has no siblings.
He said: "When Dad died, I suddenly realised I don't have a brother or sister who will keep an eye on things when you are away.
"Dad died 16 years ago this Christmas on December 19. It was sudden, even though he had two heart attacks six years earlier.
"And his death has changed so much.
"Whenever I now hear of someone with a small family losing a parent I empathise with them. I also realised then so much more depends on me, even if I do it willingly and gladly."
He went on to explain: "Since Dad died, I became very aware of how lonely people can be in rural Ireland and in urban Ireland too.”
