Gerry and Christine Anderson.
IN her first interview since the death of her husband and popular broadcaster Gerry Anderson, Christine Anderson has spoken from the heart today about the deep love she had for him.
Christine was speaking to presenter Enda MClafferty on the BBC Radio Ulster Stephen Nolan ahead of tonight’s ceremony in Dublin where Gerry will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the PPI (Phonographic Performance Ireland) Radio Awards in Dublin.
Recalling his illness, Christine told the Nolan Show: “We had two wonderful years together of reflecting, but neither, of us for one minute, thought he wasn’t going to make it. He was so brave, and so strong.
“I don’t think I realised just how much I loved him. Because it was just like taking care of someone you just loved unconditionally.”
She spoke about the first time she set eyes on Gerry while out one Wednesday night at the Embassy dance hall in Derry.
Christine said that all the men in those days wore dark clothing except this one, lean man with long hair who wore a light coloured suit. His name was Gerry Anderson, a local musician.
“I seen this very very thin guy with a light coloured cream suit on with longish hair. I thought: ‘Oh my god, look at him’.
“I was standing with my two girlfriends Ursula and Angela and the next thing I see is Gerry walking over towards the three of us.”
At first Christine thought Gerry was going to ask one of her two “glamour puss” friends for a dance.
But he had only eyes for Christine.
“I thought to myself: ‘If he lifts one of those two I will die’.
“But he asked me to dance, it was a slow dance, and we went round the floor and he sang ‘Summer In The City’ in my ear the whole way round.
“I had a date with him the following. I fancied the pants of him a bit two much so I didn’t go.
“About two hours after the date which was about 7.30 that evening I see Gerry coming Sackville Street where I lived and I had shot him down of course.
“I scared of the feelings for him so I went out with another guy and we were walking down Sackville Street with his arm round me and Gerry said: ‘You Bitch! I waited for two hours and you didn’t show up’.”
But despite this, they met again a year later and in Dublin and started to date again.
Added Christine: “I loved him from the first time I set eyes on him.”
She said that Gerry was an “immensely private and shy person” and although he loved broadcasting she said she believed he secretly wanted to be a write.
The full interview is now available on the BBC website.
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