Ryan Tubridy has said is decision to quit the Late Late Show was made a year ago - saying his family thought he was 'mad' giving it up.
The father-of-two denied rumours that he stepped back from hosting the Friday night chat show over the RTE payments scandal.
Ryan admitted he made a decision to step down a year ago for "personal reasons".
Speaking to the Oireachtas committee, he told TDs his family thought he was 'mad'
He said: "I was not aware of any of this debacle when I decided to retire from the Late Late Show.
"I made my initial decision to leave The Late Late Show almost a year ago. Around this time, I mentioned it to those closest to me, my family and my agent. They were surprised, very surprised to say the least.
"I explained to them that, among other things, I had left a lot on the studio floor after Covid. I was burnt out and exhausted – like so many people in the country. I turned it over in my mind over a few months, but by the time I got to January, I was absolutely certain of my decision.
"I was convinced that it was time to go.
"There is ZERO connection between my departure and this very raw situation of recent weeks.
"I informed management on March 13th of this year. I first became aware of the Grant Thornton review in May – some two months later. Even then, I had no inkling of the bombshell which was to come when RTÉ released their statement on June 22nd."
His agent Noel Kelly said: "In relation to Ryan stepping down and stepping back, Ryan had said it to me the previous year, and I was, I said to him, why are you leaving? And he said my family."
"They thought it was mad, and to be honest with you," said Ryan.
