A VETERAN RTÉ presenter is being replaced as the Rose of Tralee’s MC by a 2FM breakfast host.

Will Leahy said that, after 20 years in the role, he will step down.

He’ll be replaced by Carl Mullan, who also co-hosts a show with Roz Purcell and Aisling Bonner on RTÉ 2FM every day.

His new gig, which has the official title of Master of Ceremonies, involves announcing the Roses and presenting the show’s social media content.

Daithí Ó Sé will stay on as the main host, alongside Kathryn Thomas. But Leahy’s two decades with competition even outdoes Ó Sé, who has been there for 15 years.

In a statement posted to his social media, Leahy said he’s not leaving for another project.

“I’d keep doing it forever, but I’ve been in the job 20 years, which is an eternity in the presenting world,” he wrote.

“I’m going to miss the annual mad summer camp that I have been honoured to be part of for all these years.”

He wished Mullan luck in the job and joked that they can compare notes in 2045, after “his 20 years”.

Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas joined by some of the 2025 Roses at a photocall ahead of the event Andres Poveda Andres Poveda

The Rose of Tralee will air on RTÉ One on Monday, 18 August and Tuesday, 19 August at 8pm – with a break for the Nine O’Clock News.

We’ll see 32 Roses from Ireland and abroad compete to be crowned the Rose of Tralee. In the past, winners were given cars, holidays and free hair styling for a year.

All this week, the Roses have been on tour, stopping in Meath, Limerick and towns around Kerry.

They visited farms, hotels and even a chocolate factory – all part of the Rose experience.

Today they’ll be welcomed in Tralee ahead of the official event.

James Patrice returns with backstage coverage of the competition.