TV producer Larry Masterson dies aged 73

Television producer Larry Masterson has died aged 73.

Known for producing many of RTÉ's flagship shows, including the Late Late Show, he was a highly-respected figure in the TV industry, also producing for the likes  TG4, Channel 4, and the Discovery Channel.

Before working in the television industry, Masterson graduated from UCD with a degree in social science. It was during his time at university where he helped set up the Dublin Simon Community.  Having started out as a social worker, producer Noel Smyth invited him onto several RTÉ programmes as a panellist. This eventually lead to a move into media - where he enjoyed a fifty year career.

He left the national broadcaster in 1983 to found Emdee productions. Alongside Mike Murphy, he produced a variety of  successful shows such as Murphy's Australia and the Waterways series. Masterson later returned to RTÉ, completing four years as Executive Producer on the Late Late Show, from which he stepped down in 2017.

"Larry was a much-loved, much-respected producer who was always great company," said close friend John McColgan, speaking to RTÉ.  "He is beloved by his friends and colleagues. Everyone who met Larry loved him."