Ryan Tubridy has opened up about his decision to quit the Late Late Show – saying he knew in his heart it was time to go.
The radio and TV star shocked RTE colleagues when he announced he was stepping back from the Late Late Show after 14 years at the helm.
Ryan said he agonised over making the decision, but said he knew it was the right time for him to go. His final broadcast will be on May 26 – just two days before he celebrates his 50th birthday.
He said: “I was explaining this to my daughters about this. You know when you’re at a party and you’re really enjoying it and you look around and everyone is having a good time and the music is really good, I’m at that party still but I’m reaching into my pocket for my phone and I’m ordering a taxi.
READ MORE: Ryan Tubridy stepping down from the Late Late Show - LIVE updates
“I just don’t want to be sticking around when they are turning off the music and the lights and saying ‘oh you’re still here’. So yeah, it makes sense to go now.”
He said he spent many days taking long ways and talking to himself about the life changing decision he was about to make.
“Not at all. Lots of long walks and talks with myself. I thought it all through. It’s been this extraordinarily big part of my life and my family’s life.”
He said his family – including his two daughters – didn’t buy into his notoriety when he first signed up to take over from Pat Kenny, saying it would be “punishment” for him to continue hosting the show for another five or ten years.
“When you are the Late Late Show presenter you belong to a lot of people, whether it is on the street or in the pub or the coffee shop and that is part of the joys of it when you’re the guy but when you’re the family of that person, they didn’t buy into that, and it is always a little trickier for them.
“I think another five, ten years of that would be punishment for them and I’m ready. I’m so comfortable with the decision. You’re right, it wasn’t easy but it feels really good. I’ve had a joyful time. I’ve enjoyed it so much. What a job.”
He said ever since he was a child, he dreamed of hosting his own chat show and he has loved every minute of his time hosting the Late Late Show.
“Ever since I was a child I dreamed of doing a job like the Late Late Show. I used to be off sick from school and watch these daytime talk shows on British television as it was at the time and thought I would love to have a go at that.
“Then I would watch Parkinson and Gay Byrne and think that looks like such an interesting job. I wouldn’t have been academically bright but a good talker so I had that.
“I’m curious about people and I am passionate about Ireland and I loved every week on the show.
“When you’ve got great people around you, it makes it all the more enjoyable.”
But Ryan told Claire Byrne on her RTE Radio 1 show that he is not leaving RTE and will continue to host his radio show each morning on Radio 1.
“I’m not leaving RTE. I do a radio show five days a week at 9am and I adore it. I adore the TV show but I’m not ready to leave the radio by any means. I love it and I love the intimacy of it.
“I love how relaxed it is., You can be very much yourself on radio than on TV. “
But the Dubliner admitted he didn’t want to host the Late Late Show in his 50s and is excited for a new chapter ahead which sees him explore documentary making and a possible return back to university.
“Also, the last Late Late Show with me presenting it will be Friday the 26th of May. Within 48 hours I’ll turn 50. There’s probably something in that so I will never present the Late Late Show in my 50s.
“I’ve also believed to go to the party a little bit early and get out a little bit early but the radio continues at pace.
“I’ve hit that point in my life where I know what I want, and I like what I know and I know that I’ve done as much as I can with the Late Late Show but I’m also really excited about the next bit because I’m only 50.
“So that I would love to do is I’ve got so many ideas.. I love books, history, politics, Ireland, museums and travel and combining all of these things for programmes and documentaries. I’d like to write again. I’d like to go back to academia for a while part time.
“The whole point of this job - that you do so well - and that I endeavour to do is curiosity and passion and when you have those two things, I’ll never be bored.”
He said his decision to quit wasn’t because of competition from streaming channels.
“Gay had the joy of one channel. Gay and Pat did such a great job of keeping the show going.
“Yeah it has dramatically changed the vista of who is watching, when they’re watching and who they are watching whether it is on their phones and on the (RTE) Player.
“Did that factor into it? Not really. 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.”
And Ryan confirmed he won’t be hosting this year’s Toy Show, despite pleas from fans.
“No. Not going to happen. I’ve had my fun, it was glorious, that toy show was magic, There’s magic in the air. That’ll be hard to say goodbye but there will be no overturn. I’ll know when it Is time to say goodbye.”
“It’s been very emotional and I had a very emotional chat with my team there but you’re talking to a very grateful and a very happy man today.
“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.”
He teased Claire if she might replace him but Claire said: “You’re talking to a person who walked away from work.”
Ryan questioned: “Would you not consider walking back?”, with Claire responding: “Listen, let’s not go there. Now listen, let's talk about the toy show.”
Ryan said: “Will I miss that the most? Yes. Being Santa Claus ambassador on earth. I would walk down the street and I would see kids, like an ad, their jaws would drop on the ground.
“That was fun. The last couple of years, the Irish people raised a couple of million for charity. Love that.
“It’s been baffling and beautiful.”
He said he has met stand out people over the years – saying the bigger the star, the smaller the ego.
“I’ve met stand out people like Vicky Phelan, Adam King and Saoirse Ruane and more recently Charlie Bird. People who have moved the country and have been selfless. Catherine Corless comes to mind immediately. A gentle kind historian who changed the world through persistence, dignity and diligence.
“My family always say ‘did you ever take notes on some of the guests’. I don’t have a book in me. I won’t. I’ve often said I am a private person in a public job. You can’t suddenly turn around and say ‘buy my book’, not going to happen.
“There are some great yarns. The bigger the star, the bigger the star the smaller the ego and conversely the smaller the star, the bigger the ego.”
He thanked his family “who have been amazing”.
“For my daughter to have a dad in the most public job in the country, arguably, I’m sure was a challenge but they are beautiful, awesome, something of awe. Young women now and they are my everything.”
He added that he is looking forward to “annoying” them every Friday night he has free.
“Annoy them, every Friday saying can we go out now.”
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