RTE Daithi O’Se ‘frightened’ by health scare as star ‘maximising’ Galway life

RTE star Daithi O’Se has opened up about the ‘frightening’ health scare that straightened him up as he says he plans to make the most of his home life in Galway.

The Today Show star has opened up about keeping a work-life balance as he presents the long-running hit programme alongside co-host Maura Derrane while still managing to spend time with his family.

The part-time Galway resident told our sister site RSVP that he is a family man at heart and is happy to be dedicating more time with his family in Gort as the Today Show goes on its summer hiatus.

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Speaking to the publication this week, he admitted that time is flying by especially as Ogie celebrated his tenth birthday on St Patrick’s Day.

He said: “It’s unreal, ten is an interesting age because it’s the first of the double digits. He’s told all of us that he’s joining us with double digits. When we moved to our home nine years ago he wasn’t even a year old.

“The time has gone so fast. My boss in RTÉ asked me to work in Cork for a few months and Ógie wasn’t even born. It’s time to slow the years down a small bit.”

He continued: “Every year has been fantastic and every year has been better than the last. It’s hard to explain. His personality is constantly developing and he’s a messer and a rogue. He’s got a big heart and he’s happy-go-lucky. Once he’s happy and healthy, I don’t care about anything else.”

He admitted that when it comes to disciplining, he’s ‘the softie’, saying: “I don’t like giving out, but I do it when I have to. It’s very seldom though. I like hanging out with him and I like being at home with my family. Work is work, but once I come home, that’s it.”

Opening up about his marriage to wife Rita, who he met on Rose of Tralee over a decade ago, he said: “We met in 2008 and we’ve been together since 2010. When you look back it feels like a lifetime ago in one way, but it also feels like yesterday. We got married and then the young fella came along. He’s 10 now, so time is flying!”

As the star is two years away from turning fifty, he said he is determined to take care of himself going forward, especially after facing a health scare in the past few years.

He said: “I got a bit of a fright when I found a lump in my eyebrow. I thought I had an ingrown hair, but it turned out to be cancerous. I got it cut out and I moved on. The doctor said that she got it all out, and a bit around it just to be sure. When you get news like that it does straighten you up. I also have to mind my cholesterol and my weight. I always feel the benefits when I go to the gym and it’s up to me to push myself a bit more. It’s a lot easier to do it at this time of year.”

On his secret to success, Daithi said: “Enjoy every minute of it and don’t take yourself too seriously. People will try to knock you down.”

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