RTE star Claire Byrne looks likely to be announced as the next host of The Late Late Show.
Sources have claimed the Laois woman is expected to be revealed 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.
“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.”
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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 of becoming the next host have been strengthened even more after Miriam O’Callaghan publicly ruled herself out of the running, while Claire remained silent after her statement. In a lengthy post, 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 favourites 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 Hillary Clinton in New York last week.
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.
She added: “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 – 14 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 of Claire taking over from Ryan have been chopped to 10/11 with Prime Time 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).
BoyleSports spokesperson Lawrence Lyons 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.”
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