Ryan Tubridy reflected on helming the show during ‘extraordinary times’ (Picture: PA)
Ryan Tubridy will step down from The Late Late Show on RTE television after 14 years as host.
Ryan, 49, said it was a ‘privilege to host the national institution’ and that he would be exiting at the end of the current series.
The radio host has welcomed stars including Derry Girls actor Jamie-Lee O’Donnell, although she didn’t take it too kindly when he repeatedly asked the Screw star her age.
Announcing his departure, Ryan said: ‘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,’ he said.
Ryan welcomed the Irish Eurovision hopefuls (Picture: PA)
Ryan was also the host of the Late Late Toy Show which raised millions of euros for children’s charities across the island of Ireland.
Harry Potter star Emma Watson even made a surprise appearance on the segment, sharing a heartfelt message to Hermione Granger fan Caitriona Kalogeraki, 10.
Caitriona raises awareness of autism, with The Little Women actress, 32, branding her ‘an amazing young woman.’
Emma Watson got emotional speaking to Caitriona (Picture: RTE / Youtube)
The broadcaster continued: ‘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.
‘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.’
Mr Tubridy will continue to present his radio show on weekday mornings.
Ryan was on the show for more than a decade (Picture: RTE)
‘I will continue on the radio show which I love and will talk about other projects in the future that will embrace my love of books, history and Ireland but that’s for another day. For now, we have exciting plans for the remaining shows this season,’ he said.
RTE director general Dee Forbes thanked Tubridy for his ‘enormous commitment’ to the long-running programme.
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‘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 14 years,’ she said.
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MORE : Ryan Tubridy tells Kay Burley he ‘doesn’t comment on age anymore’ after Jamie-Lee O’Donnell drama
Emma Watson was among his guests.
