RTÉ have announced that Ryan Tubridy will step back as host of The Late Late Show later this year, after 14 years hosting the iconic Friday night chat show.
Tubridy will step down at the end of the current series, with his final show set to come on May 26th.
Ryan Tubridy stepping down as Late Late Show host
Ryan Tubridy thanked the producers of The Late Late Show and the show's viewers in the announcement of his departure from the chat show:
It has been a privilege to host the national institution that is the Late Late Show for the last fourteen years. 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.
Also, to the viewers, I am so grateful for the loyalty you have shown to the Late Late Show, week in, week out. Not only did you raise 30 million euros for Irish charities including over 15 million euros for children's charities all over the island that are particularly close to my heart, but you showed incredible generosity of spirit for which I am profoundly grateful. I was often touched by the kind comments of viewers stopping me on the street or at the supermarket on a Saturday to say 'thank you' or 'well done' for highlighting an issue that affected them or their families on the previous night's show. Go raibh maith agaibh.
And finally, to my 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.
20 May 2022; The Late Late Show presenter Ryan Tubridy during the FAI Centenary Late Late Show Special at RTE Studios in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Tubridy went on to say he will especially miss the annual Late Late Toy Show, which he hosted for the final time last November:
As I reflect on my time at the helm, I realise that we experienced extraordinary times as a country in that period. During the pandemic particularly, the viewing figures bear testament to the fact that many families across Ireland tuned in as we tried to make sense of it all. In a time of massive disruption and fragmentation of media and fake news, trust matters and I hope The Late Late Show offered that over the years.
I will especially miss the annual chaos of The Toy Show and while millions of viewers got to see the thousands of children who made it onto the live show, I saw lots more hopeful singers, messers, dancers and musicians at auditions throughout the country. Suffice to say, I am incredibly positive about and hopeful for the next generation and the contribution they will make to this country.
RTÉ paid tribute to Tubridy, who took over as host of the longest-running live chat show in the world in 2009 after the departure of Pat Kenny.
Director-General of RTÉ Dee Forbes thanked Tubridy for his "enormous commitment" to the show, and gave special mention to his enthusiasm for the annual Toy Show:
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.
The transformation of the Late Late Toy Show into a national event celebrating Irish children and the most popular television programme in Ireland every year is testament to his talents as a broadcaster and his ability to create a unique connection with children and audiences all over Ireland, and beyond. There are so many great memories and special moments to look back on, and more to come, which we will rightly celebrate in the months ahead.
Ryan Tubridy will continue to host his daily RTÉ radio show, and said that The Late Late Show's producers had "exciting plans for the remaining shows this season. Stay tuned!"
RTÉ have not yet made a decision on who will replace Tubridy as host of The Late Late Show.
This piece will be updated throughout the day.
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