Broadcaster Gerry Ryan has revealed that the recent separation from his wife of 26 years has been the most painful decision that either of them ever had to make. The DJ has also spoken out against friends who he claims abandoned him during this "very traumatic" time.

Speaking yesterday, Gerry (52) said, "Since Morah and I split up an awful lot of people that I know haven't even lifted up the phone to ask me how I was. Honest to God, I have about three close friends and that's it. And do you know what, I honestly didn't give a s*it. I'm a bit disappointed with some. But really, at the end of the day, it's a life-affirming experience because it taught me who I could actually depend on and who doesn't matter."

Some of the best support Gerry received through this period has come from Booker Prize winner John Banville.

"I met John through my good friend, Harry Crosbie and he's an absolute gentleman and an absolute genius. But men, even if they're the shining light of English literature, don't know what to say about a separation."

"I remember we were having a conversation and John goes 'and how's that other thing?' I knew exactly what he meant, so I nodded and said 'it's OK'. Then he said 'very difficult. Very difficult'. And that was our conversation about it. I think Van Morrison called it the inarticulate speech of the heart."

He admits that last week's publicity after he was romantically linked to Melanie Verwoerd, the 41-year-old former South African ambassador to Ireland, has been difficult for him, his estranged wife Morah and their children Charlotte (22), Rex (18) Bonnie (15) Elliott (12) and Babette (8). While refusing to comment on the romance, Gerry said, "I'm big and I'm bold and I can get through the latest publicity. But it's been difficult for my family so I'm living in the land of No Comment."

Dealing with what he calls "the bachelor world of separation", the 2FM DJ says he watches the Discovery Channel in his pyjamas while nursing a glass of whiskey in his shiny new apartment.

"I've got a job that requires me to get up early in the mornings so I

don't go to nightclubs. I'm not out on the piss. I'm not chasing young ones."

Despite being paid a reported €100,000 for his life story and a €600,000 salary from RTÉ, Ryan claims he doesn't have as much as people think he does either and says he still gets calls from his bank manager.

"I still get calls from the bank going: "What's the story here, you're

overdrawn? And I'm thinking 'how can that be?'. I think my financial adviser sees me as a very strange fish altogether."