After being in the hot seat hosting The Late Late Show for fourteen years, Ryan Tubridy has decided to leave the popular late-night chat show.
After presenting The Late Late Show for fourteen years, Irish TV presenter Ryan Tubridy has decided to step down as host after this season of the popular chat show ends. Ryan has hosted the talk show since 2009, taking over from Pat Kenny.
His final programme as host will be broadcast on Friday, 26 May, on RTÉ One. Currently, no decision has been made on who will succeed him as host.
The Late Late Show – the second longest-running late-night talk show in the world
The Late Late Show is renowned in Ireland and abroad for being the world’s second-longest-running late-night talk show. Its Toy Show is always a fan favourite at Christmastime. The show features the year’s most popular kids’ toys along with many great performances from children.
The programme, combining current affairs and light entertainment, is widely considered an institution in Ireland.
The Late Late Show first aired in 1962 and has had three permanent presenters. The late Gay Byrne, Pat Kenny and Ryan Tubridy.
Mr Tubridy is the Irish public broadcaster’s highest-paid presenter, with a salary of €440,000.
Ryan Tubridy – a talented presenter and Radio DJ
Regarding his time on The Late Late Show, Ryan said, “It has been a privilege to host the national institution that is the Late Late Show for the last fourteen years. To the viewers, I am so grateful for the loyalty you have shown to the Late Late Show, week in, week out”.
Tubridy added, “I will continue on the radio show, which I love and will talk about other projects in the future that will embrace my love of books, history and Ireland, but that’s for another day. For now, we have exciting plans for the remaining shows this season. Stay tuned!”.
RTÉ director general Dee Forbes described Ryan as a “TV phenomenon at home and abroad” and said, “I would like to thank Ryan and acknowledge his enormous commitment to the Late Late Show during the seven years I have had the privilege to work with him”.
The next host of The Late Late Show – there are many contenders for the role
Ever since Ryan announced his intentions to leave the show after its current season run, there has been intense speculation inside RTÉ and outside about who will be his replacement.
The current favourite to replace him is the TV current affairs presenter Miriam O’Callaghan. She has previously hosted the programme temporarily and has often hosted her own summer season talk shows.
Other names mentioned include comedian Tommy Tiernan, Brendan O’Connor, and current affairs presenter Claire Byrne.
UK-based comedian Dara Ó Briain is described as a dark horse. Tubridy will host his final episode of the show on 26 May on RTÉ One.
