The radio presenter signed off from her RTE Radio 1 show for the final time in late October and since then she has been enjoying her time off before making her Newstalk debutClaire Byrne and her husband Gerry ScollanClaire Byrne and her husband Gerry Scollan(Image: Instagram)

Claire Byrne has shared the unexpected way she’s spending her time off before joining Newstalk.

The former RTE star signed off from her RTE Radio 1 show for the final time in late October.

Since then, she has been enjoying her a well deserved break before her new radio show debut.

Claire shared an unusual picture of herself on holidays, which featured a monkey wrapped around her head.

She is spending some time soaking up the sun and culture in Roatán, an island in Honduras – which is in the Caribbean.

Sharing the funny snap, she wrote: “Busy meeting new folk with no concept of maintaining personal space. #honduras #roatan”.

Her followers were delighted that she’s having fun, but shared how excited they are to tune in for her new Newstalk show.

Claire Byrne in Roatán, an island in HondurasClaire Byrne in Roatán, an island in Honduras(Image: Instagram)

One person said: “That beats sitting in a studio..send some [sun] to Ireland hope the rest and experiences are needed..”

A second commenter wrote: “Ah Claire miss u so much on RTE will follow u on Newstalk, have a lovely holiday”.

A third follower shared: “how cool tho! And u still look so stylish”.

With another person adding: “Ahh fabulous. Have missed you. Enjoy.”

It comes after Claire signed off from RTE for the final time at the end of October, bidding farewell to her listeners after 15 years.

She said: “I wanted to say goodbye to you all because it is my last show in RTE and it is time to hand over the baton,” she said. “I wanted to say to you that I’ve had the most wonderful 15 years here, I have had so many great opportunities, I’ve met so many inspiring people in this studio and others over the years.

“I want to say a really special thank you to the team on this show. I simply could not sit here in this chair and do what I do without them. And to all the other incredibly talented teams I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years, we’ve all worked really hard but let me tell you we had great fun too and I have made lifelong friends here at RTE.”

She also praised David McCullagh, the journalist taking over the show as she heads to Newstalk.

“I know he’s going to do an exceptional job. David is one of Ireland’s finest journalists and he’s a fierce nice fellow to boot,” she said.

Claire concluded: “To you who have listened to me over the years, whether I have driven around the twist or I have entertained you, thank you very much for your company and do take care.”