Beeb recruits Tubridy

THE young fogey is off to Auntie.

The Irish Examiner has learnt that Ryan Tubridy is set to join the BBC later this year in a move that will raise fears in RTÉ that their top star may move to Britain on a long-term basis.

However, fans of the presenter’s TV and radio shows on RTÉ are being assured the broadcaster has no immediate plans to quit the station.

High-level sources at RTÉ have confirmed that Tubridy has informed his bosses in Montrose that he wishes to take up the offer of work with the BBC this summer. However, he also reassured RTÉ management that he hopes to fill in his BBC role around his existing hectic work schedule.

It is understood that Tubridy, who earns an annual salary of €533,000, has promised RTÉ executives that any work with the BBC will not interfere with his role as presenter of The Late Late Show and his daily morning show on 2FM.

Tubridy admitted last year that he turned down an offer from the BBC to take over Jonathan Ross’s radio show on Radio 2 for a 12-week period last summer. Sources indicated that he will be offered a similar role on BBC radio this summer.

It is understood the presenter ruled himself out last summer as he was preparing to take over the flagship morning programme on 2FM last August following the death of the show’s Gerry Ryan, as well as meeting a deadline for his book on John F Kennedy.

However, BBC bosses have remained interested in the RTÉ star. The Late Late Show has attracted over 800,000 viewers on average so far this season — its highest in 12 years.

Tubridy could not be contacted for comment yesterday, while his agent Noel Kelly declined to discuss reports that his client was joining the BBC. However, the 37-year-old broadcaster posted a comment on his Twitter account which claimed he had “a busy and slightly ridiculous” afternoon.

A BBC spokesperson said the station was in constant dialogue with a variety of presenters, including Tubridy, about presenting or deputising for regular presenters for various shows.