Ryan Tubridy’s next project revealed: Radio presenter announces new podcast series
Tubridy says his new project is a 'long held' dream
Former RTÉ radio presenter and Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy is to launch a new book podcast.
Tubridy, whose love of literature is widely known and who often championed books and authors on Irish radio and television, will launch ‘The Bookshelf with Ryan Tubridy’ podcast next week in association with Eason.
“I’ve got a podcast and it’s about, you’ve guessed it, books,” he says in a video shared on social media, describing how the interview format with international guests from the worlds of music, television, literature and sport will take place.
“The guest comes along with three books from their very own bookshelf: the book from their childhood, the book that made them cry, and the book that changed their life. Over the course of a conversation, we’ll have a chat about the people and their lives through the prism of these three beautiful, important books.”
Tubridy will also offer his pick for ‘Ryan Recommends’, a segment where he shares a book he has enjoyed in recent weeks and months.
“This has been a passion project of mine for a couple of years now but I could never quite find enough time to put it all together," Tubridy says, noting how the "exceptionally difficult time" he went through last summer when he left RTÉ led to both his current radio job in the UK and to his new podcast.
"Despite it being an exceptionally difficult time, it made me reassess and explore new opportunities to realise some dreams I've long held in my heart."
He adds: "The world of reading is rarely dull and lends itself to the most intriguing conversations, of which I've had many putting season one together. The first of these conversations drops on Tuesday. I can't wait to share it with you.”
The first episode will air on Tuesday, April 16 with further episodes released weekly. The announcement has been welcomed by Irish authors on social media.
“Can’t wait! There has been a Tubridy-shaped hole in the books world,” author Edel Coffey commented on social media. Writer Sinead Moriarty wrote: “A new book podcast is always something to celebrate.”
Tubridy currently presents the Ryan Tubridy Show on Virgin Radio in London, having left RTÉ last year following weeks of controversy related to revelations that the organisation had publicly under-reported payments to him, prompting a crisis at the public service broadcaster that put a focus on its governance and financial practices.
He was due to return to the organisation under a deal which would have seen him creating a podcast for RTÉ among other duties. However, director-general Kevin Bakhurst pulled the arrangement, saying he was “particularly disappointed” with a statement released by Tubridy in relation to the controversy around his earnings.
In 2022, Tubridy topped the broadcaster’s top earners list with earnings of €515,000.
The Bookshelf with Ryan Tubridy will be available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major audio platforms and to watch on YouTube.
BOOKS & MORE
Check out our Books Hub where you will find the latest news, reviews, features, opinions and analysis on all things books from the Irish Examiner's team of specialist writers, columnists and contributors.
