RTE star Claire Byrne looks likely to be announced as the next host of the Late Late Show.
Sources have claimed the Laois native is expected to be announced as the new presenter of the Friday night chat show before Ryan Tubridy steps down on May 26.
A TV insider said: “Claire is the most talked about person in RTE at the moment. Everyone is saying she will be the show’s next host if she wants it.
READ MORE: RTE announce Claire Byrne as host of new show amid Late Late speculation
“Claire stepped away from telly almost a year ago to concentrate on her family but when she was announced to host a new quiz show, Ireland’s Smartest, next month, everyone speculated she wants to return to TV.
"When she finished hosting Claire Byrne Tonight she was told she'll probably end up as host of the Late Late Show some day."
Even host Tubridy has pointed the finger at who he would like to see as the next presenter.
Speaking to Claire on her RTE Radio 1 show last week, Ryan said: “I could give you 50 reasons as to why I am leaving the Late Late Show but the one I can only give you that is the most prosaic and the most soulful is you know when you know and I know. I know in my heart, and I know in my mind.
“The Toy Show went into a different orbit. I can’t believe there won’t be any more toy shows with me but there will be toy shows with the next person, whoever that might be,” gesturing to Claire in studio.
Claire said: “You’re talking to a person who walked away from work,” but Ryan asked: “Would you not consider walking back?”
Claire added: “Listen, let’s not go there. Now listen, let's talk about the toy show.”
Claire’s chances at becoming the show’s next host have been strengthened even more after Miriam O’Callaghan publicly ruled herself out of the running, while Claire remained silent after Miriam’s statement.
In a lengthy statement, the Prime Time host said earlier this week that while the bookies' odds favouring her to be the next chat show’s next host are “flattering”, she will not be throwing her “hat into the ring”.
She posted the statement on her Instagram to stop people from asking the question - "including from my wonderful mum".
She said: “The Late Late Show is an incredible programme.
“It’s not just the jewel in the crown of Irish broadcasting, it’s also an institution stitched into the fabric of Irish life.
“Ryan has done a superb job presenting it for the past 14 years.
“Although the speculation about me being one of the favourite to take over the Late Late Show is very flattering, that won’t be happening as I am not throwing my hat into the ring to be considered.”
She said she “loves” hosting Prime Time too much “to leave it”, adding: “and what we do in current affairs as a team matters, and can actually change lives.
“It’s what I love doing most of all as a broadcast journalist, and I’m not prepared to give that up for any show.”
The mum-of-eight gave an example of “the kinds of stories that matter to me” as she recalled meeting Bill and Hilary Clinton in New York this week on the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
She said she found a letter last night – 14 years after she told RTE management she did not want to be considered for the Late Late Show before Pat Kenny became its host.
“In it, I told management that I was withdrawing my name from the ring on that occasion too, saying I no longer wanted to be considered for the job if I had to leave Prime Time, and the position – fourteen years on – remains exactly the same.
“I’ve been lucky enough to present the iconic Late Late Show twice, and I loved the experience – I wish whoever does go for the job the very best -it’s a brilliant opportunity and very exciting.
“I also wish my heartfelt congratulations in advance to whoever gets it – what a joyous role, enjoy!”
Following Miriam's dramatic exit from the running, the odds on Claire taking over from Ryan have been chopped to 10/11 with Primetime presenter Sarah McInerney also being nibbled into 3/1 from 9/2.
Of the other female contenders, Ask Me Anything presenter and Meath woman Angela Scanlon is third favourite in the running at 9/2 (from an opening 33/1).
So one-way has the traffic been for the next presenter to be female, that BoyleSports is quoting just 1/16 on RTE bucking the trend and choosing a woman (or women!) and a considerably larger 8/1 that Tubs will be replaced by another man.
Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BoyleSports, said: “The betting has been pretty erratic so far but with reports suggesting the new host (or hosts) won't be announced until later in the summer, we'll be on the edge of our seats waiting on white smoke to appear from Montrose.”
Paddy Power has also confirmed that Claire is the clear favourite for the job at 6/5 favourite.
Rachael Kane, a spokesperson for Paddy Power, said: “O’Callaghan always looked like the natural successor to Ryan Tubridy and by ruling herself out the field has a far more competitive look to it. The market’s beginning to take shape and the betting patterns would suggest that punters are very much of the view that we’ll have a woman in the hotseat for the next season with Byrne and McInerney being by far our most popular selections.”
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