Gay Byrne joins heads of state

Gay Byrne became the first non-head of state to receive the International Variety Club's highest award, Gold Card life membership…

Gay Byrne became the first non-head of state to receive the International Variety Club's highest award, Gold Card life membership, yesterday.

His name was put forward by the Variety Club of Ireland, in recognition of his "outstanding contribution to broadcasting for nearly 40 years and for his support for all charities, including the Variety Club of Ireland".

The card was presented to Mr Byrne at a reception in Dublin last night by the Chief Barker, Mr Peter Barnett, who is currently touring the 55 variety clubs around the world. The ceremony was attended by another Irish recipient, the former president, Dr Paddy Hillery, and his wife, Maeve.

The International Variety Club is the biggest children's charity in the world and is also the official charity of show business, a VCI spokesman said.

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Other recipients of the award include Eamon de Valera, Sean Lemass, Presidents Roosevelt, Eisenhower and Kennedy, and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.