Northern Ireland

Eamonn Holmes says late boss Rory Fitzpatrick was a 'colossus'

Rory Fitzpatrick, a former Executive Producer with Ulster Television. Picture from UTV
Rory Fitzpatrick, a former Executive Producer with Ulster Television. Picture from UTV Rory Fitzpatrick, a former Executive Producer with Ulster Television. Picture from UTV

PRESENTER Eamonn Holmes has paid tribute to the man who gave him his big break.

The 59-year-old said he was saddened to learn of the death of his ex-boss Rory Fitzpatrick, a former Executive Producer at Ulster Television.

The This Morning presenter posted a photo of himself as a 19-year-old reporter at the station and said he owed "everything" to Mr Fitzpatrick.

"Against all the odds and against seasoned journalists, an Executive Producer at Ulster Television gave me a job as an agricultural reporter," he tweeted.

"I was 19 years old. He was The Colossus that was Rory Fitzpatrick. He gave me my chance. I owe everything that followed to him."