Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
MIRIAM O’CALLAGHAN has officially ruled herself out of the running for The Late Late Show presenter role.
In a statement on Twitter today, O’Callaghan said she was making the statement “just to stop all the questions, including from my wonderful mum”.
Current presenter Ryan Tubridy said last week that he was stepping down from the rule, leading to fevered speculation about who would be putting their name in the ring.
O’Callaghan, who is presenter of Prime Time and a Sunday morning radio show, said in her statement that Tubridy “has done a superb job” of presenting the Late Late for 14 years.
She said the show “is an incredible programme” and “an institution stitched into the fabric of Irish life”.
However, O’Callaghan said that while the speculation is flattering, she will not be throwing her hat into the ring to be considered.
“I love what I do too much on Prime Time to leave it, and what we do in current affairs as a team really matters, and can actually change lives. It’s what I love doing most of all as a broadcast journalist, and I’m not prepared to give that up for any show.”
She noted that she had presented the Late Late Show twice in the past and “loved the experience”.
A little news - just to stop all the questions, including from my wonderful Mum 🥰 pic.twitter.com/9nTp5A5baW
— Miriam O'Callaghan (@MiriamOCal) March 21, 2023
Ryan Tubridy announced he was stepping down last week, telling RTÉ Radio 1’s Today with Claire Byrne programme that he could “give 50 reasons” for his decision to leave – but the “most soulful” one was that “when you know, you know, and I know”.
The presenter described the impact that his 14 years as the face of the programme has had on his life and his family’s lives.
“When you’re The Late Late Show presenter, you belong to a lot of people, whether it’s on the street or in the pub of the coffee shop.
“That’s part of the joys of it when you’re the guy, but when you’re the family of that person, it’s always tricker, and I think another five or ten years of that would be punishment for them.”
He will continue to present his daily morning radio show on RTÉ Radio One.
Tubridy will present his final Late Late Show on 26 May.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Thanks be to jaysus.
@denartha: Miriam is not a light entertainer anyway. And she knows it too.
Honestly. Can RTE look externally for some new talent instead of dragging the same worn out “lifers” to present as the next big thing?.Most of these RTE regulars would bore the hole off a statue ffs.
@Gerry Lamont: could they go for somebody different from the regulars, but still female? The likes of Stormy Daniels, say?
@Gerry Lamont: would it be an idea to have these ‘lifers’ on a judging panel and see who they suggest – with proviso that none of them can be selected – then we might have a chance of getting someone decent?
@Gerry Lamont: my sister works in rte and she was saying that your “one”that used to do the telly bingo has the job got.. keep that to yourself
@Ciaran O’Mara: Or Vin Diesel
@Gerry Lamont: Steve Coogan, as Alan of course.
@Gavin Conran:the Green Party might object.
A sigh of relief has just been heard all around the nation
Seriously, this warranted a notification from the journal?
@Warren Kennedy: Of course – otherwise you would never bother reading it.
I’d also like to confirm I’m ruling myself out for this role. This is to stop speculation from my imaginary friends, my auntie who thinks I’d be great on TV, and my cats.
I hope the Journal will alert anyone who may have missed this comment…..
@Terri MacDonald: that must have been truly truly awful. Unbearable for you. Would you like to share the experience with us? You don’t have to but if you could plumb the depths of your sorrow and suffering my listenership numbers will go up. Talk us through it, moment by agonising moment
Since Tubs announced his retirement not a minute has passed without me worrying about who will replace him.
I have nothing else to worry about only this serious matter.
@Joe Price: I heard Vin Diesel is considering throwing his hat in the ring.
Thanks for the push notification..I thought somebody had died
@Pol Mlp: you know you can turn off push notifications?
@D. Memery: obviously i do yes, i choose to leave them on as they are usually for big breaking stories….Not some auld wan saying she won’t be presenting a TV show
@Pol Mlp: the Late Late Show died, it just won’t lie down unfortunately…
Thank got her voice goes through me
A nations holds its breath……
@Dave Murray: for ol’ farts!!
Don’t think anyone asked her
Please don’t let it be Brendan O’Connor, he has zero charisma. He has to be related to someone somewhere because wouldn’t see him being allowed to announce the numbers in a local bingo hall.
@Tony Doran: and he scares children and animals
@Tony Doran: his wife is RTÉ royalty!
@Tony Doran: It’s going to be a woman. Companies can’t be seen not doing that now
@Paul Brierley: Jaze that explains it so!
Dustin the turkey for a comebacl
Miriam is well passed her sell by date she was never going to get that gig, She’s only saving face by issuing that statement
Surely it’s time to scrap the Late Late Show?
@Brendan Shanahan: that’s it! – bring back scrap saturday instead!
There is a god
Why is this a pop up notification? Sweet divine.
Just put a camera in the RTE canteen.
Will the job be advertised?
As long as its not Claire the biased bore Byrne, but to be fair I can’t think of any RTÉ “celebrity” that would be anyway decent they’re all shy te
Has anyone asked Podge n Rodge?
D’Arcy or some other overpaid zero talent gravy trainer will get it..
Patrick Keilty would be brilliant, someone with a sense of humour and character depth for a change. Would be great not to have to cringe and feel second-hand awkwardness on behalf of guests for once.
I really hope a genuine and funny dude or dudette get the job! Maybe think a Graham Norton type personality, or Mock of the week contestants type of personalities, i.e. Aisling Bea. Someone smart and fun. Great opportunity for the right person. We don’t need a Prime Time type of presenter in all fairness. We need the exact opposite. Just my opinion, God only knows what we will end up with.
Phew
How is she going to feed and cloth her 8 kids now that gig is gone..? I still reckon one of The Legendary Irish Media Moguls the Seoige Sisters is a cert for the job.
Thank jaysus; that would just be too much..
Phew… Thank God
I nominate Jedward.
Panti Bliss for The Late Late, we would have some fun
She has always been terribly sexist with her promotion of wimmin rather than catering for all of the various sexes/genders/other stuff. I say bring on a he, she, it, they, their, there or some other nonsense that will bamboozle everyone involved so that no-one understands anymore.
She no good that y
Give the job to D’Arcy. He is due a promotion.
have your say