DJ O’Callaghan reveals to fans he has Parkinson’s

POPULAR DJ Gareth O’Callaghan has revealed that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

The Classic Hits 4FM host said he is ‘devastated’, but that he is ‘staying positive and strong’.

The Dubliner announced the news on Facebook on Monday evening, and expressed his gratitude to his family and friends, and especially his long-term partner Paula Delaney.

‘Got news I wasn’t anticipating recently. I’ve been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Just wanted to let everyone know I’m doing good, staying positive and strong. Devastated by the news, but life goes on. Host: Gareth O’Callaghan Thanks to those close to me, and especially huge thanks and love to Paula,’ he wrote.

The radio star, who is also a best-selling author, has worked in some of the biggest stations around Ireland. Most notably, he held the popular afternoon slot on RTÉ 2fm. He now broadcasts the 2pm-7pm slot on Classic Hits 4FM.

There was a flurry of support for the popular host on Twitter – with broadcasters Dr Ciara Kelly, Jeremy Dixon and Rachael English, and many of his fans, wishing him well. His partner Paula showed her support, saying: ‘What you face we face together .. I love you xxxx.’

He replied: ‘You are my rock. I couldn’t ask for a stronger rock! xxxxx.’

Speaking with Neil Prendeville on Cork’s Red FM, the 57-year-old said he feels as if he is in ‘a bad dream’ and that he hopes someone will tell him ‘that was a misdiagnosis’.

‘I’m in a quandary of disbelief, I’m kind of devastated but I realise that life goes on and I have to move with it,’ the father of three said.

He said that he initially felt angry and ‘very low’ about the situation but that he is ‘slowly getting there’ in coming to terms with the diagnosis.

He confessed he had been feeling very unwell for some time but that he believed it was down to stress and financial issues. It turned out he’d had the disease for a couple of years. ‘I had to get it out there because it was becoming noticeable; I was tripping and dropping things,’ he said.

Mr O’Callaghan, who has been open about his depression battles in the past, said he is not going to give up and let the disease bring depression back into his life.

‘I was dropping things’