Comedian and actor PJ Gallagher has revealed his mother Helen died on Saturday, November 5.
Taking to Twitter on Saturday night the much-loved comedian and presenter on Radio Nova shared a poignant photograph of his mother saying: “RIP Ma. 5/11/22.”
Hundreds of messages of sympathy from the public and well-known personalities were sent to the 47-year-old who last month opened up about his battle with depression on RTÉ’s The Late Late Show last month.
Offering messages of support was actress and children’s author Pauline McLynn, best known for her role as Mrs. Doyle in the TV series Fr Ted, whose mother Sheila died two weeks ago.
Ms. McLynn said: “So sorry to hear this, PJ all love and solace to you now.”
Psychologist Niamh Fitzpatrick who lost her sister Dara, when the Irish Coast Guard air and sea search helicopter she was piloting crashed off Co Mayo in 2017 added: “Ah I’m so sorry to read this, PJ; my heartfelt condolences to you. And may your lovely Ma rest in peace.”
While model and Mum-of-two Glenda Gilson said: “So sorry PJ x” and author Paul Howard of Ross O’Carroll Kelly fame tweeted: “Thoughts with you, PJ”.
RTÉ personality and musician Aonghus McAnally continued: “Big hugs to you PJ at such a sad time.”
PJ lost his father Séan in 1999 and during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic moved back in with his mother in Raheny to care for her and keep her company in their own special “bubble”.
Speaking publicly back in 2015 the comedian said he and his sister always knew they were adopted. As a newborn, he was placed into foster care for a few months after being born in Bessborough mother and baby home, before being adopted by his parents, Helen and the late Sean Gallagher who died in 1999.
He said in an interview seven years ago he said about his parents: “My folks were crazy too and weren't very strict, so it was a great bit of craic growing up in our house.
"It was like a comedy university. I am so close to my Mam and am a typical Irish Mammy's boy. I call to her every day to make sure she's okay.”
Even though his mother Helen strongly encouraged him to trace his birth mother, he admitted his desire to trace his biological family was not overwhelming. He did trace them after he developed Reiter syndrome, a type of reactive arthritis, in his hands, and was unable to answer questions about his family's medical history.
He then wrote a letter to the adoption agency, Cunamh, and discovered that his parents were living in the west of the country and had married. They agreed to meet him at the adoption agency. He also learned his parents went on to have a further two sons and two daughters.
RTÉ's hidden camera show, Naked Camera, brought him huge notoriety and hilarious characters Jake Stevens and The Dirty Auld Wan were smash hits. Sold-out stand-up tours both at home and abroad soon followed.
Mrs. Galllagher’s funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.
PJ told Late Late show host Ryan Tubridy last month that he was diagnosed with depressive anxiety and recurrent depressive disorders last year.
He admitted that he had always kept his thoughts on his mental health to himself but urged people battling with poor mental health to reach out for help after revealing that he spent nearly three months in hospital receiving treatment for chronic anxiety and depression.
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