Comedians having been paying tribute to legendary Irish chat show host Gay Byrne, who has died aged 85.

Dara O Briain wrote: "Very sad to hear of the death of Gay Byrne. Hard to explain how huge a presence he was in Ireland for 40+ years; a legendary, instinctual broadcaster; that rarest thing, a gifted listener; and an interviewer of huge emotional intelligence. An enormous life."

The show regularly featured rising Irish stand-up talent and one stand-up has revealed how he made his TV debut on Byrne's Late Late Show when he was completely unknown as a comic and played a trick on guest Bill Murray. The film star was in the country to appear at Kilkenny's Cat Laughs Festival.

Jason Byrne was in the audience on the episode that aired on 24 May, 1996. When Gay Byrne (no relation) asked if anyone had any questions the aspiring comedian said that he was involved in an Irish real-life version of Ghostbusters working mainly on "possessed pigs and sheep and stuff" and asked Murray if he had ever seen a ghost in real life and was he frightened.

Murray thought for a moment and then replied that as a matter of fact he had seen one in the bar he had just visited in Roly's Bistro down the road. "A waiter came, took my order and disappeared," said Murray. "If you think you are safe here, think again."

Watch the clip here.

Jason Byrne is currently on tour. Details here.