Tributes paid to radio journalist and presenter Harry Castles

Tributes have been paid to the well known journalist and broadcaster Harry Castles who has died in Spain.

The former Lurgan man retired to southern Spain in 2007 after stepping down as News Editor at Downtown Radio/Cool Fm.

The 67 year old passed away after a short illness. It's thought he'd been on a life support machine. 

For years the  father-of-two fronted one of the most popular programmes the Harry Castles Sunday phone-in discussion show, which ran until 2007.

Following his retirement, he moved to southern Spain with his wife, Liz.

Tributes have been pouring in for Harry following today's announcement.

Head of News and Sport at Q Radio, Bob Huggins said: 

"Harry was a legend, lovely man, a kind person who always seemed to discover the best traits in people. 

He liked to foster talent and he absolutely loved his job.

I worked with him for a number of years - he was someone who was always there to offer advice, and someone who had your back".

Q Radio Newsreader Robert Skates described Harry as one of life's gentlemen:

"Harry was always smiling even when things weren't going so good. 

That was him - his glass was always half full, never half empty.

Harry is survived by his wife Liz, daughter Julie and son Darren.

His children, Darren and Julie, were last night keeping a bedside vigil as their father continued to fight for his life.

Harry was one of the first voices to be heard on air when Downtown Radio launched in March 1976.

He played a key part in its news coverage and hosted a Saturday afternoon segment that was notable for his informed enthusiasm about the spectrum of local sports and its star performers.

After a time, he was attracted to the challenge of a job in public relations, before later returning to Downtown Radio.

Close friend Chris Ryder first met Harry in the 1960s, when he was setting out in journalism and had a day job in Morton Newspapers covering football for the Weekly News.

"Some years ago, having retired, he and Liz emigrated to southern Spain, where they enjoyed a dream retirement in an apartment with views across the Mediterranean to Gibraltar and Morocco," Chris said.

"But he's been ill for some months. He's one of my closest friends. He's a very kind person."

Online Editors