Ryan Tubridy lands weekday slot on Virgin Radio
Mr Tubridy's new show will follow Chris Evans' breakfast show
- Published
Former RT脡 presenter Ryan Tubridy is joining Virgin Radio to present a new weekday mid-morning show, it has been announced.
The 50-year-old, once Ireland's highest-paid broadcaster, said he 鈥渃ouldn鈥檛 be more excited to start this new chapter鈥 with the London based station.
Mr Tubridy left RT脡 earlier this year following a high-profile financial scandal.
In June, it emerged he had received thousands of euros in undisclosed payments from the Irish broadcaster.
鈥淣ew city, new station, new beginnings,鈥 Mr Tubridy said in a statement announcing his new role at Virgin.
鈥淚 love radio and what a joy to be following the legendary Chris Evans every morning,鈥 he said.
鈥淥n a personal note, this is a big day for my wonderful family who I hope to make proud, and also the people who advised me so well recently and got me to this moment鈥.
He takes up his new role in January 2024.
Mr Tubridy had presented the Late Late Show for 14 years
Mr Tubridy stepped down as host of the Late Late Show in March after 14 years at the helm of the longest-running late-night talk show in Europe.
He had also hosted a weekday radio programme.
The financial scandal that led to Mr Tubridy leaving RT脡 came to light in June after auditors raised concerns about the broadcaster鈥檚 accounting methods.
Mr Tubridy was paid 鈧345,000 more than his publicly declared salary over a five-year period from 2017 to 2022.
Some of the undisclosed payments were made through barter accounts - a system where goods and services are exchanged for other services such as advertising slots.
A further examination of RT脡's finances revealed it operated three barter accounts which showed some unusual transactions.
Items charged to the barter accounts included 鈧12,000 for Bruce Springsteen concert tickets and almost 鈧5,000 for 200 pairs of flipflops for a summer party.
'Preeminent broadcaster '
Virgin Radio鈥檚 content director Mike Cass said he was 鈥渂eyond delighted鈥 that the Dubliner was joining the station.
鈥淗e has been the preeminent broadcaster in Ireland for years and Virgin Radio will bring his warmth, humour and unique charisma to the UK audience properly for the first time,鈥 he said.