VETERAN BROADCASTER RONAN Collins is set to leave RTÉ Radio next week, after working for over 40 years with the station.

Collins said that he “couldn’t make an arrangement” with RTÉ to stay with the station, and that this coming Tuesday would be his last show on RTÉ Gold.

Collins has presented a daily music show on the digital station since he departed his lunchtime Radio One slot in 2022, with Louise Duffy taking over. Before that, he had presented the Ronan Collins show for decades. He has worked in daytime radio for over 46 years, he said.

Collins announced his departure on Virgin Media’s The Six O’Clock Show yesterday evening.

“I am finishing on RTÉ Gold next Tuesday. I’ll be doing my last show on RTE Gold after almost three years,” he said.

Collins said the reason for his departure was that he and RTÉ management could not reach an agreement.

“It’s time to stop. In the nature of the changes that are happening in RTÉ, it’s a good time to stop.

I couldn’t make an arrangement with RTÉ to continue because they wanted to go one way and I wanted to go another.

Collins said, however, that he has “no complaints” with RTÉ.

“I’ve no complaints. There was no acrimony or bitterness at all because I’ve done it and I’ve loved it all,” he said. He also said he would “miss DJing”.

RTÉ Radio One has seen significant upheaval lately, with a change to its schedule and a number of high-profile departures. 

In a statement, a spokesperson for RTÉ said:

“Ronan Collins has been a very important part of RTÉ for 46 years. As he finishes up in his current role on RTÉ Gold, we thank him for his dedication and the contribution he has made in that time. We wish him well for the future.”