The award-winning broadcaster and DJ Niall Boylan has revealed for the first time how he seriously considered taking his own life after his marriage collapsed last year.

The Classic Hits 4FM presenter, who has talked in the past about being adopted, also reveals that he believes his birth was the result of his biological mother being raped by a priest. And he reveals why he found it impossible to form a friendship with his biological mother.

In a startlingly honest interview, Niall Boylan also talks to Hot Press’ senior editor Jason O’Toole about finding love again after his marriage break-up, his battle with alopecia, and about taking drugs in his wild youth.

Niall also says that he isn’t ruling out the possibility of entering politics – and reveals who he thinks are the best – and the most over-rated – radio presenters in Irish broadcasting….

Here’s a few samples of what Niall Boylan has to say during hate course of a thoroughly fascinating, and often hilarious, in depth interview:

On contemplating suicide: “For about four months, I was so depressed. There was one night I genuinely felt like there was no way out. I was up on Howth Head, five hours sitting in the car. And if it wasn’t for a good friend of mine on the phone, I don’t know what I would’ve done.”

On finding love again: “She’s just such a gentle, supportive, affectionate, beautiful and amazing person. It was probably the best thing to ever happen to me.”

On the possibility of his father being a priest: “She (my biological mother) started saying something about ‘a man of the cloth’. And I’m going, ‘Are you telling me that my father’s a priest?’ She said, ‘Can we talk about something else’. I didn’t push her because it was upsetting her. I would be 100 percent sure that she was taken advantage of, probably by a priest.”

On Ray D’Arcy: “Ray D’Arcy. I don’t think he’s good. I don’t think he’s worth the money RTÉ are paying him. I’m sure he’s a nice guy; I don’t know him. I just never rated the guy. I always felt he sounds like he’s nervous.”

...and Joe Duffy: “Joe Duffy does what he does. It’s not my type of radio. He’s basically a referee. What’s he on for? An hour-and-a-quarter – and he’s getting, whatever, €400,000 a year! Don’t get me wrong: I wouldn’t turn it down. But taxpayers’ money could be put to better use. We can put together two shows in a day for probably less than a quarter of the price.”

On prostitution: “ I understand that there are women being trafficked and that should always be illegal. Any man or woman who’s responsible for trafficking should be buried in jail. But if a woman chooses to do it, for whatever reason, even out of necessity, it’s her body, her choice.

On drugs: “I tried pretty much everything - except cocaine or heroin.”

On the possibility of entering politics: “I wouldn’t rule out politics. I have a huge interest in it. But I don’t think people would like me (laughs). The problem is: I wouldn’t agree with all the lefties – I’d have to kick them all out first. I’d ban every single one of them from the Dáil because they’re all mental.”
In this extraordinary interview, Niall Boylan also discusses the breakdown of his marriage, candidly chats about his sex life, explains why he believes the Pope won’t visit Ireland, tells how he was forced to report death threats on three occasions to the Gardaí, and reveals that he was once badly beaten as a result of his radio show...