Ryan Tubridy calls time as host of The Late Late Show

RTÉ has confirmed that Ryan Tubridy will step down from The Late Late Show at the end of the current series.

Ryan Tubridy:

“It has been a privilege to host the national institution that is the Late Late Show for the last fourteen years. I want to thank the tremendous teams of producers, researchers, crew and executives who have done the hard work to keep the show on the road over the years. Many have become dear friends.”

The programme was originally conceived as a short filler programme for the summer schedule in 1962 on the then-fledgeling Irish broadcaster Telefís Éireann, The Late Late Show has gone on to become an Irish institution and today is still one of the most popular programmes on television in Ireland.

Gay Byrne, who died in 2019, was the programme’s first presenter in 1962, and apart from one season when Frank Hall presented the show while Gay worked with the BBC, it was a continuous run of almost 37 years. Following Gay’s departure in 1999 Pat Kelly took over the reins before Ryan stepped into the hot seat in 2009.

Ryan Tubridy:

“To the viewers, I am so grateful for the loyalty you have shown to the Late Late Show, week in, week out. Not only did you raise 30 million euros for Irish charities including over 15 million euros for children’s charities all over the island that are particularly close to my heart, but you showed incredible generosity of spirit for which I am profoundly grateful. I was often touched by the kind comments of viewers stopping me on the street or at the supermarket on a Saturday to say ‘thank you’ or ‘well done’ for highlighting an issue that affected them or their families on the previous night’s show.”

Ryan Tubridy / RTE

Ryan Tubridy, The Late Late Toy Show / RTE

Ryan will present his final Late Late Show at 9.35pm on Friday 26th May on RTÉ One. Ryan will continue to present his radio show on weekday mornings from 9.00 am – 10.00 am on RTÉ Radio 1. RTÉ has not yet made any decision regarding the next presenter of The Late Late Show. An announcement will be made later in the summer.

UK viewers may recall the series from its spell being aired on Channel 4 in the UK although it’s more famous this side of the Irish sea for launching pop group Boyzone in 1993 with a poorly-planned debut appearance which became memorable for all the wrong reasons and thus has been shown many times on clip shows.

RTÉ Director-General, Dee Forbes:

“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 Late Late Show is a TV phenomenon at home and abroad which continues to hold a special place in Irish life and Ryan can take enormous credit for that. He had big shoes to fill, but he has made the show his own over the past fourteen years.

“The transformation of the Late Late Toy Show into a national event celebrating Irish children and the most popular television programme in Ireland every year is testament to his talents as a broadcaster and his ability to create a unique connection with children and audiences all over Ireland, and beyond. There are so many great memories and special moments to look back on, and more to come, which we will rightly celebrate in the months ahead.”