Tubs Apologises As Listeners Text In Worried For Interviewed Star’s Condition

McGrath appeared briefly on the 2fm show yesterday morning to discuss his recent abuse on Twitter, where he has been taunted by web yobs over his battle with the booze.

RTÉ radio DJ Ryan Tubridy has apologised for putting Paul McGrath on live radio after the troubled Ireland soccer legend gave a rambling interview where he slurred his words.

McGrath went on the 2fm show briefly yesterday morning to talk about the recent abuse he’s received on Twitter about his alcohol addiction.

During the piece, he talked disjointedly about his sons serving in the British army in Afghanistan and insisted he is off the drink.

He also told Tubs he really enjoys his interactions on the social networking site, despite the recent spate of abuse he had been receiving online.

The station received dozens of texts from listeners within moments of McGrath on air. McGrath has spoken in the past about his alcohol addiction and his spill-all book Back From The Brink documents his life’s darkest moments.

Tubs responded: “I don’t know what the story is, literally he came on the phone and we were going to have a bit of banter about what happened on Twitter.

“I don’t want to judge him or comment, but what I am going to do is call him later on.

“We spoke to him early on in the morning around eight-ish and he was absolutely fine.

“We wouldn’t want to put anyone on who wasn’t in the mood for coming on, shall we say.

“Paul is both a gentleman and a gentle man. He is loved by people in this country.

“He is a national treasure. A lot of you are wondering how he is. It’s almost as if a family relative needs to be asked after.”

Tubridy also promised to contact McGrath later on to make sure the 53-year-old was okay.

The interview was removed from the recorded version of the show which featured put up on RTÉ’s website.

A friend of McGrath’s later told the Irish Sun: “I’m with him now.

“He’s fine.”