RTE viewers remember 'classic' moment Coolio appeared…

RTE viewers remember 'classic' moment Coolio appeared on Irish daytime TV as rapper dies aged 59

Tributes are pouring in from Irish fans of US rapper Coolio who died aged 59 on Wednesday.

The musician, best known for his '90s hit Gangsta's Paradise, was found unresponsive on the bathroom floor of a friend’s house from a suspected cardiac arrest, his manager has said.

However, no official cause of death has yet been announced.

He is being fondly remembered in Ireland for his appearance on RTE’s Open House in 2002 where the TV crew stepped in as his backing dancers after a mix-up.

The hilarious moment is available to watch on YouTube and sees a young Marty Whelan as the host introduce the rapper on the daytime TV programme.

Host Marty Whelan introduced Coolio when he appeared on RTE’s Open House in 2002 (RTE)

Explaining that the production crew would be joining Coolio on stage as he performs one of the tracks off his album El Cool Magnifico, Marty says: “Ready over there to perform this now we have a number of our own crew, Open House crew, including DJ Jazzy Liz and Mark or so, and the rest of them.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is Coolio and Ghetto Square Dance.”

The camera then pans over to a small stage where the American rapper is flanked by four of the show’s crew members - wearing baggy jeans and large hoodies and dancing to the beat - as Coolio launches into his track Ghetto Square Dance.

The clip was uploaded to Twitter following the rapper’s death and has since racked up over 200k views.

Coolio was best known for his signature track Gangsta's Paradise (Getty Images)

Explaining what is going on in the video, James Cotter, who uploaded it claimed that Coolio had been “booked by mistake” by RTE.

He wrote: “RIP Coolio. Never forget his appearance on Irish daytime chatshow Open House, who, legend has it, booked him by mistake. They hadn't arranged backing dancers, so he made the middle-age production crew dress up and do it instead. Best TV ever.”

And Marty Whelan confirmed that it was Open House TV crew who were the backing dancers, retweeting the clip and paying his own tribute, writing: “Ah Coolio, I remember him with great fondness.

“To have him dancing with the staff was quite the moment. Which they did willingly. The very idea of introducing Coolio on afternoon television shows you how innovative RTÉ has always been…”

People flooded to the comments as they shared their appreciation of the vintage clip, calling it “so Irish” and “truly classic”.

One person wrote: “That is a brilliant story!! Fair play to OpenHouse crew!!! Gas. RIP Coolio. Rest in power.”

A second added: “Truly classic. I can’t thank you enough for sharing this. I love the way the erstwhile backing dancers’ heads are artfully left in shadow. A sliver of mercy from the lighting technicians.”

A third joked: “This is the most Father Ted thing I've ever seen.”

One freelance TV producer Gary Flood took to the comments to say he was actually part of the team on Open House at the time

He clarified that Coolio was not “booked by mistake''; however, he said there was a mix-up.

He wrote: “Correction! I was part of the production team on this. Coolio was NOT booked by mistake. But the producer misheard at a meeting and thought we'd booked Julio (Iglesias). Upon being set straight he uttered the immortal words: "Coolio? Who the f**k is Coolio?". The rest is history!”

Coolio often spent time in Ireland and in more recent years featured on a track with Irish hip-hop duo Versatile, filming the music video for 'Escape Wagon' in Ringsend in Dublin.

His manager at Trinity Artists International, Sheila Finegan, confirmed his death on Wednesday.

"We are saddened by the loss of our dear friend and client, Coolio, who passed away this afternoon," she said in a statement.

"He touched the world with the gift of his talent and will be missed profoundly.

"Thank you to everyone worldwide who has listened to his music and to everyone who has been reaching out regarding his passing.