FORMER RTÉ broadcaster Simon Young has been described as a "fantastic talent" following his death at age 70.
The Dublin-born DJ began his broadcasting life in pirate radio broadcasting in the 1970s before starting a career at RTÉ, where he presented shows including The Beatbox, Simon's Saturday Choice, Poparama and the 2FM Weekend Breakfast Show.
The presenter, whose real name was Thomas Meade, also became a familiar face on children's TV show Dempsey's Den.
It's former presenter, Ian Dempsey, said he "immediately hit it off" with Simon when the pair worked together on RTÉ's 2FM station.
"Simon is the last person that would want us all to be morose about everything. I think it's great to celebrate a fantastic talent and a really warm guy and a very, very funny man. And also, a very deep thinker," Mr Demspey said yesterday while speaking on RTÉ Radio 1's Ray D'Arcy Show.
"We were very, very close friends all the way through."
Late Late Show presenter Ryan Tubridy described Simon as "someone very instrumental to my early days here in RTÉ", while Dan Healy, the head of 2FM, said the late presenter "was one of the biggest names" on the station in its early years.
"He was a great radio professional and a favourite among Irish audiences," Mr Healy said of Simon, who retired from broadcasting in 2002.
"We are deeply saddened to hear of his passing. We send our sincere condolences to his family, friends and former colleagues. May he rest in peace."
