Ryan Tubridy has said he is “really happy” with RTE’s decision to hire Patrick Kielty as the new host for the Late Late.
Ryan, who has fronted the Friday night flagship show for 14 years, will host his last show on Friday with President Michael D. Higgins among the guests.
Father of-two Patrick, who is married to British presenter Cat Deeley, will take over from Ryan after weeks of intense speculation as to who might land the gig.
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“I’m really, really happy about this choice,” Ryan told his RTE radio listeners this morning (Monday). “It’s a great decision.
“I was very, very supportive of the suggestion that he (Patrick) might take over the show.
“I just think he has what they say in the business, ‘the chops’. I really want to wish him the very best of luck. The show will be in safe hands.”
Ryan added that Patrick would bring a lot to the long-running RTE show.
“He can cover the heavy side of things. He has the background.
“I think he’ll do a great toy show as well because he’ll be well able for it as the dad of young kids.
“He’ll be backed up by a great team. He’ll be all over it. He is a comedian. He is a funny guy.”
“He’s also a really lovely fellow with it.”
“It’s not really my thing to be talking about it anymore. I’m nearly the ex-guy”
Ryan added that this week will be “very, very busy” as he prepares to host his final show on Friday.
“I think it’s going to be a week of distractions for obvious reasons”
“It will be a peculiar week for me in some ways as I set off on my own road to say goodbye on a Friday night. It will be emotional but it will be lovely.”
Ryan said he is looking forward to taking up an invitation to visit Michael D Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin on Thursday to do their final interview together.
“Our 14 years have been pretty much paralleled,” Ryan said of the Irish President.
“Obviously his in a more important, lofty way, and me in my own small way in TV land.
He has always been very generous with his time and I appreciate the invitation.”
This week also sees Ryan taking a trip to Limerick to visit the university, UL, where he will broadcast his radio show live from the campus on Wednesday morning.
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