RTE 2FM legend Larry Gogan considered retirement after tragic death of wife Florrie

Larry Gogan has revealed that he considered packing in his radio career after his beloved wife died.

The broadcasting legend, who has been a DJ on 2fm for the past 40 years, almost left his show after his wife Florrie passed away in 2002 after a battle with breast cancer.

However, Larry decided to remain on the airwaves because he loved his job so much.

The 84-year-old said: “What else would I do? I don’t play golf or anything like that. I never regarded what I did as work, just playing records and such. What would I do if I retired? Sit at home and look at the four walls?”

Larry Gogan is comforted by family members as he watches the remains of his wife Florrie Gogan being removed from the church of St Pius X, Terenure for burial (Collins)

Speaking to the RTE Guide, the Dubliner also revealed that he had received job offers from international radio stations that were keen to poach him from RTE.

However, Gogan remained in Ireland to be close to his family.

“I asked Florrie if she would like to go to Luxembourg and she said, ‘Where’s that?’. So I told her that it was a little country beside France and she said, ‘Oh no, I’m not going there!’ So I never went.”

He continued: “I was also asked to join the BBC at another time but we had five children by then and someone had to put the bread on the table.

“In any case it was always more important for me to be with my family. Down the years my children did listen to me on the radio and they still do.”

After four decades with the station, Larry is set to step away from 2fm at the end of this month as he prepares to move to digital station, RTE Gold.

After the announcement, Larry opened up about his health woes - revealing he receives dialysis treatment three times a week due to problems with his kidneys.

However, the radio veteran said he still “feels great” and isn’t planning on retiring.

2fm presenter Larry Gogan pictured at the Rte 2fm Summer launch at Rte Radio Studios in Donnybrook, Dublin. Pictures : Brian McEvoy No Repro fee for one use (Brian McEvoy)

Gogan told RTE Radio 1’s Liveline: “I’m on dialysis three times a week. It’s just time-consuming.

“They collect you, bring you out and you’re hooked up to a machine for three hours.

“They take all your blood out, wash it and put it back in again.”

Gogan, who also suffers from arthritis, added: “I don’t think you get used to it. It’s just something you have to do, you have to be there.

“I feel great, there’s no doubt about that. My body was full of fluid and that kind of thing. I was very heavy but now I’m fine. I’ve legs like Marilyn Monroe.”