No wonder the bookies stopped taking bets, wha'? It was kind of obvs from the offset.

In the last few minutes it has been officially announced that Anton Savage - who you'll know from pretty much everywhere - is going to replace Ray after his impromptu departure for RTE Radio 1, with most of his team in tow.  

According to Todayfm.com: "The Anton Savage Show will be a fresh opportunity to engage with Today FM's audience in a fun, entertaining and energetic way. Anton will spearhead a new-look show which will not only feature the best of Irish and international guests and live music but, most importantly, a new level of engagement with the station's listeners and their views. Anton has presented The Ray D’Arcy Show, The Last Word and The Tubridy Show, as well as hosting The Sunday Business Show and The Apprentice, you’re fired! on TV3. Since 2011, he’s hosted Savage Sunday from 11-1pm on Sundays, taking that slot to its highest ever ratings. He spent last year presenting the current affairs hour of Ireland AM and anchored the show during its transition to HD."

Of taking on the mighty mantle, Savage said: "It's a huge honour to be tasked with picking up the massive audience Ian hands over at 9 and keeping them engaged until Dermot and Dave come along, and the team and I will do everything we can to make it work. This station is full of warm, creative, decent people. Over the years I've been knocking around here I've come to owe a lot of them for support, help, thoughtfulness and generosity. I'll do my very best to make them proud of what comes out of the speakers between 9 and 12."

As an avid listener of the D'Arcy show, I'm happy. Anton is a pair of safe hands. He's knowledgeable, genial, while having a cutting sense of humour. All he needs to do is ditch the suit during the show and not be afraid to drop his trousers in public.