Ryan Tubridy has revealed he confronted a man who called him a 'f****t' and squared up to him in the street.
The RTE Radio One host was very emotional as he spoke about being hurt by the man who said he'd didn't agree with Ryan's beliefs after using the homophobic slur.
Tubridy, 48, was stunned as a second man also verbally attacked him shortly afterwards in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, on Monday.
He said on Tuesday morning: "It came to a head as I walking through a street in Dun Laoghaire as it happens with my eldest (daughter).
"She kept a distance as I walked along the street.
"A young guy of about 25 or 26, I'd say he spends a fair bit of time in the gym.
"As he passed by, he said: 'Tubridy, you f****t'.
"I had two things I could do with that, I could stop or keep going and not cause a fuss.
"I think I would have let myself down if I didn't challenge him.
"It was a physical risk because he was a big guy, if you know me, you know I'm not one of those.
"He said that he didn't believe in my beliefs.
"He squared up to me and it was menacing.
"I knew I was goosed if he threw a punch.
"I walked away and was unhappy about it.
"I was sad about it because it is my hometown, everyone is so nice, nearly everywhere I go people are lovely.
"But I was troubled by this guy."
The Late Late Toy Show host has had to endure some grief from people in his native Dublin.
He added: "I'm fed up with it to be honest.
"It's an observation that I've been seeing around the place more and more.
"Unfortunately on my own doorstep, it's becoming more of a problem with young men in their 20s.
"I want to know what's wrong and what's the problem with these guys."
Tubridy admitted that he was in two minds over whether he would tell listeners about the abuse he suffered but decided to go ahead with it.
A second man in a separate incident shortly afterwards also gave Tubridy abuse.
Ryan said: "Within five minutes, having rounded the corner and headed down towards the sea and a different part of Dun Laoghaire, this guy emerged from a particular building, there was weight lifting involved, sad to say.
"He was a bit more closer to my own build.
"He was very young, in his early 20s and started roaring in my face."
The young man called Tubridy a 'virus' and he blamed Tubridy and other public figures for the troubles in his life.
Ryan said: "When people come up to you, you've got to take it on or you can ignore it.
"I couldn't ignore it.
"The second fellow walked backwards up the street roaring abuse and he was covering his face because I took my phone out.
"I felt he was very menacing."
Listeners were grateful that he brought up his own experience and shared their support for him.
One listener said: "Class that from Ryan Tubridy on Radio One just now.
"Calling out the people verbally abusing him walking down the streets of his home town recently with his daughter.
"We are a great little nation on the whole but we do have a lot of built up anger in pockets. Be nice."
Tubridy admitted he was very disheartened by the two incidents.
He said: "Is it something that we have may have done to upset them so much that they feel they can shout at me in the street in broad daylight with my family beside me.
"I had hoped in my naivety that we could talk it out.
"All I've said since this pandemic began was let's get through this together.
"I'm not against your contrary point of view but have it out in a civil and dignified way please."
Stay up to date with the latest showbiz news by liking our dedicated Facebook page
