Ryan Tubridy reveals he was done with being “public property” as being one of the reasons he's stepping down from hosting the Late Late Show.
The RTE star is stepping down from hosting the Friday night chat show on May 26.
In a wide-ranging interview, the father-of-two has now revealed his reasons for sensationally quitting the show – saying he was ready to step out of the limelight.
READ MORE: Virgin Media host says Ryan Tubridy is 'bonkers' for giving up Late Late Show job
Ryan said: “I think it’s time to concentrate on the love of people closer to me than the attention of those I don’t know.
“My life was lived in the glare of the limelight for 20 years so yes, that was one of the reasons. I wanted to turn that light down. I just think I had my fill of being public property at that level.
“Now I’ve always accepted the fame thing was part and parcel of the job, but then you hit an age and think, ‘That was lovely, but I don’t want to play that game anymore.’
“Last summer, the seeds were sown in my head, but it got short circuited in the last few months. So no one thing, but a tapestry of events that helped to lead me to where I am today.”
The Dubliner is said to have shocked RTE bosses with his decision but he said that his decision to quit was “non-negotiable”.
“There was no bartering to be done as they were told what was happening by me and that it was non-negotiable. I was leaving the show and there was a full stop after that. They were very good about it and took it on board.
“I know my mind and they knew that. It was very amicable: shake hands and good night.”
Ryan admits it’s going to be a massive adjustment after 14 years at the helm and paid tribute to his family for their unwavering support.
The 49-year-old told the RTE Guide: “I think it will be a difficult transition, strange too.
“I’ve spoken with athletes who have hung up their jerseys and I’m thinking that’s also now me in terms of the psychological and emotional transition from Mister Friday Night to ‘Who is that guy?’.”
But Ryan says he’ll be at “peace”, adding: “I’m hoping that my ego has been sated by the attention that you get from the show. That’s a big thing, to be frank with you.
“That buzz you get from an audience and of being known and all that. I hope that I don’t miss that because at this age, that feels pleasant as well as terribly superficial.
“But I think it’s time to concentrate on the love of people closer to me than the attention of those I don’t know.
"My family has made sacrifices for this job and I’ll never be able to thank them enough for that. They are my be-all and end-all and it has always been family first and career second.
“I’m looking forward to hanging out with my daughters, who were girls when I first started this show and are now women. They are extraordinary young women who will kill me for talking about them so I will stop now.”
But he said he believes the Late Late Show was due for a change – admitting he’s said for years that it should be shorter in length and shorter in season.
He said: “I believe that I’ve done as much as I can with the show. I also believe that the show is ready for a change.
“It’s a show that always needs to reinvent itself and I have said for a few years that it should be shorter in length and also have a shorter season.
“The run of 37 or 38 consecutive Fridays of two hours of live TV with four or five parts is too much. They might change that eventually, but it didn’t happen on my watch.
“I believe that would have been wise to do some time ago and post-Covid would have been the perfect opportunity.
“But part of the situation of the longer show is that it is so lucrative for the station so why would they turn away revenue? But there should be a discussion about commerce versus content.”
His replacement is rumoured to be Patrick Kielty - but Ryan said he has zero say.
“I have zero say, and that’s right, if you’re gone, you’re gone. If the bosses want to reimagine the show in the likeness of someone else, I should have a say.
“But I will have an interest and I’m hoping they pick the right person. I was the keeper of the flame but that’s coming to an end."
READ NEXT:
Miriam O'Callaghan appears to back this star to be the host of the Late Late Show
Nicola Gallagher says GAA knew of Rory Gallagher abuse claims - but did nothing
RTE don't rule out 'husband and wife' Late Late host double-act
Maura Higgins shows off her Hollywood glow as she attends KSI fight night
Jack Keating's daughter's name has finally been revealed in never-before-seen snaps
For the latest news, sport and showbiz headlines, visit our homepage
