'I will explain a bit more on the Late Late' - Joe Duffy announces shock RTÉ retirement
During Joe’s tenure, his hugely popular radio programme Liveline has been a vital outlet for citizens
Shockwaves have been sent across the country following the news of iconic broadcaster Joe Duffy's retirement.
Presenter of the hugely popular RTÉ Radio 1 show Liveline, which he helmed for over a quarter of a century, Joe made the announcement to his thousands of listeners while signing off today's programme (May 8) where he confirmed his final show will air on Friday, June 27.
Joe Duffy spoke candidly on the news, saying, “After 37 wonderful years here in RTÉ, and 27 years presenting Liveline, it has been an incredible honour and privilege to be part of a programme that relied entirely on trust: the trust of our listeners. People felt they could pick up the phone, ring Liveline, and share their lives, problems, stories sad, bad, sometimes mad and funny, their struggles, and their victories.
"I never took that for granted, not for a single minute. RTÉ has been a great place to work. Public service has always been at its heart. And now, after many happy years, I’ve decided the time has come to move on. I would like to thank you the listener for tuning in each and every day, it has been an honour to sit in this seat and hear your stories," he added.
The broadcaster posted his full statement on social media platform X:
Born in January 1956 in Mountjoy Square, Dublin, and raised in Ballyfermot, Joe Duffy originally pursued social work at Trinity College. Joe became one of the first from his area to go to Trinity and was actively involved in student politics and went on to serve as President of the Union of Students in Ireland.
He led protests on campus highlighting access to education and spent two weeks in Mountjoy Prison as a result. After working in the probation service, he then joined RTÉ originally as a radio producer in 1989 and came to prominence as a reporter on the legendary Gay Byrne Show.
Joe presented programmes like Soundbyte before taking over Liveline in 1998. In his 27 years in the Liveline hotseat, both Joe and the programme itself have become national institutions, with the show frequently attracting some 400,000 listeners.
During Joe’s tenure, Liveline has been a vital outlet for citizens. He has also hosted a wide range of programmes for television including Liveline Callback and The Meaning of Life, as well as several acclaimed documentaries.
Joe has been a recipient of many awards during his acclaimed career, including a Jacob’s Award in 1992 for his work on The Gay Byrne Show, various IMRO Awards and he was also inducted into the PPI Hall of Fame in 2013. Joe has written his autobiography 'Just Joe' and two other award-winning history books, 'Children of the Rising' and 'Children of the Troubles' (with Freya McClements).
Kevin Bakhurst, Director-General, RTÉ, said, “Whether breaking stories like the first powerful moments of the 9-11 attacks in the US, or helping the nation navigate the often heart-breaking challenges of a global pandemic, Joe Duffy's Liveline doesn’t just have its fingers on the pulse, it is the pulse of the nation.
"Joe navigated controversies, unearthed scandals, exposed scams, fought misinformation and shone a light on topics long ignored, from historical abuse to the menopause and healthcare reform. Joe was always the guide, never the story. His journalistic insights were perfectly in balance with his human instincts, and Liveline under Joe became both a sanctuary for those seeking justice, and a public square of which Joe was in full control.
"Joe Duffy is an icon of broadcasting, and will be hugely missed by his listeners, his colleagues, and all who picked up the phone to the nation’s hotline. I’d like to wish Joe all our best for his retirement and extend my warmest wishes to June and to Joe’s family. He might be hanging up on the Liveline, but our loss is surely his family’s most welcome gain," he concluded.
RTÉ's Director of Audio, Patricia Monahan said, “Joe Duffy is a true legend of Irish broadcasting and the contribution he has made to RTÉ and Liveline cannot be overstated. Joe's ability to connect with listeners, to create a safe place for them to discuss both difficult and light-hearted topics and most importantly to listen to and hear them is unique. Our airwaves will be lesser without him, but we thank him for being part of our daily lives for so long and wish him and his family well for his next chapter.”
Joe Duffy will be Patrick’s Kielty’s special guest on tomorrow night’s The Late Late Show, marking his 37 years in broadcasting.
He will present his last Liveline his last show airing on Friday, June 27 and RTÉ will run a process over the coming months to appoint Joe's successor with an announcement expected in the autumn.
RTÉ looks forward to Joe Duffy’s contribution to its 100th year commemoration in 2026.