RTE radio presenter Sean Rocks dies aged 63

RTE radio presenter Sean Rocks has died suddenly aged 63.

He presented RTE Radio One’s culture programme Arena every weekday at 7pm since it began in 2009.

He recently presented a Sunday afternoon programme back on RTE lyric fm, where his radio career began in 2000.

He was a teacher and an actor before he began his broadcasting career.

RTE director-general Kevin Bakhurst said his death was an “enormous shock”.

He said: “Sean said once: ‘Radio is never about the presenter. It’s about the person who is opposite you.’

“Loyal listeners, especially to Sean’s beloved and long-running Arena on RTE Radio 1, will recognise the man in that quote: Modest yet learned; subtle yet probing; curious yet polite.

“The listener at home was always his focus. Not only is radio the poorer for his passing, but so too has Ireland lost one of its most passionate advocates for the arts, and one of its most informed and versatile voices.

“I want to extend my most sincere sympathies to Sean’s beloved Catherine, his children Christian and Morgan, his friends, and his colleagues at this terrible time.”