Ryan Tubridy has dropped an unexpected bombshell revealing he is to step down as presenter of 'The Late Late Show' after almost 14 years.
Tubridy, who took over from Pat Kenny in 2009, broke the news in a statement this morning that announced he will continue with his RTE Radio 1 radio show, but that the current season of 'The Late Late Show' will be his last.
"It has been a privilege to host the national institution that is The Late Late Show for the last fourteen years," it read.
"I want to thank the tremendous teams of producers, researchers, crew and executives who have done the hard work to keep the show on the road over the years. Many have become dear friends," he said, going on to thank viewers for their loyalty and their generosity in raising money for Irish charities, as well as acknowledging the support of his family, "who stood by me every day of every week, year in, year out. To my daughters especially, they put up with so much and I am as grateful to them as I am awestruck by them."
RTE's Director-General Dee Forbes said: "I would like to thank Ryan and acknowledge his enormous commitment to The Late Late Show during the seven years I have had the privilege to work with him.
"The Late Late Show is a TV phenomenon at home and abroad which continues to hold a special place in Irish life and Ryan can take enormous credit for that. He had big shoes to fill, but he has made the show his own over the past fourteen years."
Tubridy's final 'Late Late' will be on May 26th, while there is no word yet on his replacement - with RTE saying that an announcement will be made later in the summer.
Tubridy is the third regular host of the world's longest-running chat show, following Gay Byrne and Pat Kenny - with Miriam O'Callaghan briefly stepping into his shoes in 2020 when Tubridy had Covid.
The 'Prime Time' presenter is now one of the favourites to take over from him full-time.
