Ryan Tubridy has made a surprise admission about his Late Late Show hosting job.
The former RTÉ presenter took over the reins from Pat Kenny in 2009, hosting the show for nearly 15 years before departing in 2023.
Ryan has been making his way back to Irish screens and airwaves — with his new projects including The Bookshelf podcast and an appearance on Virgin Media’s The Assembly.
Ryan Tubridy has made a surprise admission about his Late Late Show hosting job. Pic: Andres Poveda
Reflecting on how he got the Late Late Show job, Ryan told the Talking Bollox podcast that when he was told he got the job, he was whisked away and wasn’t able to tell anyone — except for his mother, whom he managed to call.
‘I wasn’t expecting it,’ Ryan said before he got the gig. ‘I had to be corralled into another room, because no one was allowed to know. I was allowed call my parents, and I remember calling my mum.
‘I was really proud and went: “mum, you’re talking to the next presenter of the Late Late Show.” and she said, “god, who is it?”‘ he joked.
Ryan started on the Late Late in 2009, but admitted that he wishes he got the job five years later. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Despite being the second-longest tenured host of the Late Late, Ryan admitted that he wished he got the job a few years later, saying that despite having the television experience — having presented Tubridy Tonight previously — he felt he didn’t have life experience.
‘If I’m being really honest, I wish I got it five years after [I got it],’ Ryan said. ‘I think I needed a bit more experience of life under the belt.’
‘[I was] about 31, 32. I’m no use with numbers — long story there,’ he joked.’
Ryan currently hosts The Bookshelf Podcast, and recently announced that he’s joining The Times Radio every Sunday, calling the move his ‘dream job.’
Kicking off last week, Ryan said: ‘The show will combine everything from politics and history to books and cinema. Dream job!
‘Normal business continues on The Bookshelf podcast (Season 5 in production) and on Onic every weekend. Two more apps worth downloading!’