RTE star Francis Brennan said his life fell part during the recession but TV work and his profound faith saved him from ruin.
After the hotelier lost a massive amount money in his 50s, he was forced to re-evaluate his work situation and focus on his new-found career in the media.
The Dubliner told the Irish Mirror: “I wanted to retire at 55 but my life fell apart because of the recession.
“You would be a very happy person if you had the money I lost. I never looked back and I don’t blame anybody. I signed on those lines but things just didn’t work.
“The Lord gave me a new career at 54 and I sailed through the recession.
“I have always had a job, developers and other business owners didn’t have an income but I always had money coming in because I had both the hotel and media work.”
Despite numerous RTE shows and best-selling books, Francis doesn’t see himself as a celebrity and he would happily give up TV work.
He explained: “There is no doubt TV contributed to my survival, I will put it that way.
“There was an income from media while I was losing out in other places.
“I couldn’t care less if I never did another day’s work in the media but people enjoy that I can project a positive image.”
