Late Late Show viewers were left in tears after RTE broadcaster Bryan Dobson revealed the heartbreaking moment he heard of Charlie Bird's death.

The legendary reporter was speaking to Patrick Kielty after he signed off on his last broadcast after 37 years. Patrick said: "I know you were very good friends with Charlie [Bird] and when someone like Charlie, who is a friend of yours, becomes a news story, it must have been difficult for you.

Former RTE broadcaster Charlie Bird, 74, died on March 11 this year after a long battle with Motor Neurone Disease. Bryan responded: "Charlie was a tremendous fighter. I was on-air the word came through that he passed away. We were all just devastated because we knew what a struggle and a battle he put up.

Read more: Bryan Dobson retires from RTE after 37-year career at broadcaster

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"He survived against the odds for quite some time. We had the lady in from the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Charlie worked very closely with Motor Neurone Disease Ireland and promoted them and raised funds for them.

"She was telling me this and she said something else. [She said:] 'You know Charlie has his little computer where his voice was able to be replicated. That software has been developed and advanced in recent years in leaps and bounds.

"'People with MND who have had their speech affected they haven't liked to use it. They feel it's embarrassing. They are reluctant to adopt this technology.'

"She said: 'Charlie made it acceptable'. That was the moment that I choked up. I though about the power of positive influence you can have on people's lives."

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