‘A true gent’: RTÉ Mailbag host Arthur Murphy dies
Record deal with George Martin
FORMER RTÉ presenter Arthur Murphy has died at the age of 90 following a short illness.
Tributes poured in for the presenter, best known for the legendary RTÉ One show Mailbag.
The programme, which aired on Saturday nights from 1982 to 1996, saw viewers write in about what they’d seen on the national broadcaster’s TV shows.
Although it was only due to run for a number of weeks, his unique and popular presenting style saw the show’s run extended.
Readers of a certain age may fondly recall letters which would be unlikely to make it to air in 2019, including from one correspondent who praised co-host Olivia Cronin as ‘the prettiest lady in RTÉ’ who’s ‘even more gorgeous when she takes off her glasses’.
Mr Murphy presented a number of programmes on RTÉ over the years, including the station’s first chat show, Visitor’s Book, and worked as a producer and director on weekly music show Just For You. Perhaps less well known is the fact that Mr Murphy was also a successful singer, inking a recording contract with Beatles producer George Martin in 1957, some years before the latter worked with the Fab Four.
Mr Murphy’s solo career saw him performing on British TV and touring America, before ultimately scoring the contract with Martin. During his music career, Mr Murphy was also known as Mark Dwayne after he began working with Oriole Records, recording the songs Little Bitty Heart and Remember Me, Huh.
He recorded an album called A Nation Once Again on which each song detailed a phase in the history of this country. The Dublin-born star also later presented Emailbag on The Ray D’Arcy Show on Today FM in 2016.
Speaking on RTÉ News last night, Mr D’Arcy described his former colleague as a ‘true gentleman’ and a ‘true professional’. Dee Forbes, RTÉ director general, said: ‘Arthur occupies a special place in Irish broadcasting history, having brought his own unique brand of warmth, respect and wit to his appearances on air, not least with Mailbag.
‘That he continued to broadcast with the same unique delivery and wit to the very end is testament to his professionalism and to his popularity’.
‘He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his family and his many friends, both in RTÉ and across the world of broadcasting,’ she added.
Mr Murphy, who was predeceased by his wife Patricia, is survived by sons Shane and Mark.