Radio legend Gareth O'Callaghan has opened up about the struggles he is facing as he battles an incurable degenerative disorder.

The former Classic Hits 4fm presenter was diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) in March 2018, and was forced to quit his job a few months later as a result of his declining health.

He took to Twitter to update his followers as about the "nightmare" he is going through.

"I've been away from here for a while," he wrote.

"It's been a very difficult time. Feels like I'm living my life on two levels. One is where everything has to appear normal, while the other is a complete nightmare where you're trying to plan for all the awful stuff that lies ahead.

"I'm as strong as I think; but then while I'm not strong physically, I am - if that makes sense. The pain can be horrible. It's mostly at night, but sometimes during the day you want to go home and go to bed. You get dizzy and lose your balance in the supermarket, but you dig deep.

"And you wonder as another night sets in - how long will you sleep for; and how much more can you count on your inner strength to take it all at this point; but then you say 'bring it on!' I'm not afraid of you, you sad bad bastard of a cowardly illness. Maybe I'll beat you still.

"Multiple System Atrophy is a progressive, incurable illness that neurologists and movement disorder experts say is one of the cruelest diseases in the world, but it won't ever define who I am or what I'm still capable of achieving in my life."

Gareth, who worked for RTÉ 2fm for much of his career, has been trying to stay positive since his diagnosis and has been undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy in a bid to combat the symptoms.

He proposed to his long term girlfriend Paula Delaney in February of this year.

The popular broadcaster wrote on Twitter: "I asked @PaulaDelaney53 to marry me this evening. She said YES! A very special Sunday evening. It's been a crazy time lately with lots of uncertainty. Everyone needs to know they truly belong. That feeling is more important than anything else".

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