Alan Hughes has opened up about his fear of dying after going through several family tragedies.
The Ireland AM presenter lost both his parents, Maureen and Kevin, at the age of ten, followed by his sister and brother some years later.
However, having gone through so much grief at such a young age, encouraged him to really “grasp life”.
Speaking to the RTÉ Guide, Alan said: “When you see your sister and your brother die at a youngish age, you just want to grasp life and live it.”
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Touching on the loss of his mother, Alan added: “She had been unwell, so I was in her room, just lying with her, and she passed.”
Just six months later, Alan’s father then sadly passed away.
“It was a shock for all the family,” he added.
However, losing both his parents so young “made him more determined” to succeed in life.
Alan’s sister Doreen passed away the year after he married his husband, Karl Broderick, while his brother David died from lung cancer in 2017.
“Now, when something good happens for myself and Karl I say, ‘Ah they are all looking down on us’ – Doreen and David, Mam and Dad and my dear friend Noel O’Brien.
Continuing on, he said: “I do believe that there is a God and hope there is a life after this one where I’ll meet all those family and friends I’ve loved.
“Maybe I have that hope because I’m terrified of dying.”
