Will Laois woman be the first 'culchie' to host the Late Late Show on RTE?

As Ryan Tubridy leaves the Late Late Show on RTÉ attention has turned to who will get the biggest on Irish TV and a Laois woman is among the bookie's favourites.

Mountrath woman Claire Byrne is among the favourites to land the job which Ryan has done for 14 years and was previously filled by broadcasting giants Gay Byrne and Pat Kenny.

Bookmaker Ladbrokes say there is mounting interest in who will replace Tubriday in the presenters’ chair.

They've installed Prime Time anchor  Miriam O’Callaghan as the 3/1 while Claire Byrne is also in the running at 6/1 to make a return to TV, after stepping back from ‘Claire Byrne Live’ late last year.

If she does make the cut, Claire would be the first host from, as the Dubs might put it, 'down the country' to host the flagship show on a permanent basis. Gay, Pat and Ryan were all true blues.

She would also be the first woman to anchor the Late Late on a full time basis. The late Marion Finnucane did host it temporarily at one point.

The Laois native has written previously about being inspired by Late Late legend 'Gaybo' who was the first and longest presenter of the hit show. She spoke about how he inspired and entertained her as a child and advised her as an adult.

"I can't remember who asked me if I’m related to Gay Byrne. I know I was around 20 and working as a young journalist in the Channel Islands. 

"I know I paused before answering, considering that this person would probably never know if I claimed that Gay was my uncle. But in the end, I confessed that we were not related.

"Years later, when I told Gay the story, he said we were all Wicklow Byrnes anyway and most likely related some way back.

"That’s become my new answer and if I ever get round to doing my family tree, maybe there will be a link somewhere - and how proud I would be if that were the case. 

"Like most people of my generation in Ireland, I grew up watching Gay Byrne presenting The Late Late Show. I was raised on the distinctive signature tune of his groundbreaking radio show. Hearing it often meant it was a day off school and the dulcet tones of Gay were as comforting as the smell of my mother’s morning baking.

"When I was 12, I got my hands on a copy of The Time of My Life, the book written about Gay, with his cooperation, by Deirdre Purcell. I devoured it. 

"The story of the working class boy who learned his craft, climbed the ranks, took ownership of his destiny and became unassailable as the great interviewer of his time. For a 12-year-old who had ambitions beyond her reach, it was grist to the mill.

"I began to study his body language on the show, he didn’t reach his right arm across to the guest because that might exclude the audience. He made the studio audience feel that they were there with him, part of a team and the guest was visiting all of them, not just the presenter.

"As I write this, I am telling myself that these are lessons I need to be cognisant of every time I step onto the studio floor. 

"In later years, Gay would remind me to speak slowly and clearly, never to forget that radio listeners are joining you by choice and they need to be looked after," she said.

In the tribute written when Gay Byrne died in 2019, she said she was making a big career decision to join RTÉ. 

"I called Gay. He spent a long time asking me was I happy, what were my ambitions, what would I find fulfilling and then finally advised me to go to RTÉ and see where it led me. Ever since, Gay kept an eye on me, checking in from time to time, making sure I was alright and happy.

"When a show ends and the lights come down in a TV studio, you instinctively know whether it’s been a good programme or one to file under 'could do better'. 

"But the best nights were the ones when you got the text from Gay. The message might just say 'well done you' or 'powerful' but it meant so much. 

"My 12-year-old self is sitting in my childhood bedroom not quite believing that the man who was a giant of my formative years would deign to send me messages of support - I feel a great privilege. 

"We all have days when you doubt yourself and your ability, those are the days when having those little notes of support are like an antidote to the self-doubt. 

"For me, Gay Byrne was the best interviewer of his generation and of mine. A couple of months ago, he texted me to congratulate me on a difficult and emotional programme that I had presented. 

"My reply to him was, Gay, if only you knew that I strove to do it just as you would. And in truth, I’m still learning from him. 

"Thank you Gay - for the public masterclass and the personal support," she concluded. 

The Brigidine Covent Mountrath past pupil currently presents the main RTÉ current affairs show on Radio 1 a job previously done by past late late presenter Pat Kenny.

Ray D’Arcy is an 8/1 sho to take over the Late Late Show gig, as are Brendan O’Connor and Tommy Tiernan who can be backed at 10/1 and 16/1 respectively.

Sarah McInerney is priced at 18/1 and the bookies are also offering odds of 18/1 for Love Island winner Greg O’Shea, the recently announced co-host of Virgin Media’s Six O’Clock show, to make the jump to RTE for the Late Late Show job. 

Ladbrokes has also reported interest in Marty Morrissey but is an outsider at 33/1.

Ryan Tubridy spoke about leaving in a statement from RTE.

"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.

Ryan Tubridy to step down as Late Late Show host after 14 years

"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 for Irish charities including over €15 million 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," he said.

Ryan Tubridy to step down as Late Late Show host after 14 years

RTÉ has not yet made any decision regarding the next presenter of the Late Late Show. An announcement will be made later in the summer.