Ryan Tubridy paid tribute to "the country's sister" Vicky Phelan during his radio show today.
The 48-year-old died in the early hours of Monday morning at Milford Hospice in Limerick. Speaking this morning, Tubridy said he found out about Ms Phelan's death when he returned to his desk after his radio show yesterday.
"I knew in the air that something was wrong because everyone was feeling it, " he said. "All my friends and colleagues upstairs, their heads were bowed because there was something so shocking about something so expected. How did that happen?
Read more: Charlie Bird says his 'heart is broken' as tributes flow following the death of Vicky Phelan
"I think it's because there was no, if you like, sense that it was imminent and that made it a little bit shocking for people. Some people are too alive to die, and she was one of those people."
Tubridy said the cervical cancer campaigner as a "joyful, joyous person trapped in an unfair world" and wanted to remember the happy memories he has with her, such as when they first met at the RTE radio centre.
"We had this great conversation that had nothing to do with sickness, we talked about the toy show, her children, survival and staying strong,” he said.
"That conversation began our friendship. Despite it all... Vicky Phelan was a lot of fun to be around."
Tubridy described Ms Phelan as being "the country's sister". He said: "I think that's something worth thinking about briefly this morning.
"She was easy with a kind word and she was easy with a helping hand. She was one of life's natural leaders. Whenever you met her or saw her on TV or radio, she had leadership written all over her.
"I would argue that she was the best President that this country never had, I really believe that. In another life, another world, she could have ended up going all that way."
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