London life and old friends: Six things we learned from Ryan Tubridy’s first show on Virgin
Ryan Tubridy's new show is available on Dublin's Q102.
Ryan Tubridy started off the New Year with a brand-new radio show as the former host made his debut on Virgin on Tuesday morning.
Broadcasting live from London, Tubridy has been described by the UK station as their “new King of Mid Mornings”.
The launch of the new radio show comes after Tubridy did not have his contract renewed by RTÉ following the scandal surrounding secret payments made to him, which led to his departure in August.
The Ryan Tubridy Show airs Monday to Friday on Virgin Radio, but Irish listeners can still tune in via Dublin’s Q102. The show takes place from 10am to 1pm, which is a longer slot than his previous one-hour show on RTÉ Radio One.
Here’s what we learned from Ryan Tubridy's first show on Virgin Radio.
Tubridy has made the move from Dublin to London for his new show which broadcasts live from the buzzing capital city.
Opening the show, the 50-year-old said a cheery hello to his listeners from a “drizzly” but “beautiful” London city: “I’m working here and living here and loving [being] here in London and having a great time so far.”
Later, when asked about his favourite thing about London, the Beatles fan said the zebra crossing on Abbey Road, which is now part of his daily commute.
Just minutes into his first show, Tubridy said he had a “lovely welcome” from listeners.
“You guys are being very, very nice today,” he said, adding that people from all across the world had been getting in touch already.
Following his time at the centre of the RTÉ payment scandal, Ryan Tubridy is ready to say goodbye to 2023 as he begins 2024 with his new gig in a new city.
Speaking on Virgin Radio, he told listeners that he woke up with a smile on his face on Tuesday ready for his first day at the station.
“I’m excited,” he said. “I can’t wait to get stuck into this year. I cannot wait to say goodbye to 2023 because I’ve just got a good feeling about this year.”
viewers will be aware of Tubridy’s friendship with actor Russell Crowe following his appearance on the RTÉ chat show. While hosting a dinner party, Crowe joined Tubs on air from Australia for his good pal's Virgin Radio debut.
“I think you’re going to do great things in that town. That town is a fascinating city as we all know and I think you’re just perfect for that place, man. I think the audience is going to find you very, very interesting,” he said.
He went on to chat with Tubs about his preparations ahead of shooting the upcoming historical drama , which starts production in February as well as his love for Tequila and the books he and the host are both reading currently.
Russell Crowe shared another titbit with listeners, revealing that Tubridy — apparently — has very pasty legs.
“Have you explained to your audience how white your legs are?,” he asked the host while on air.
“Well, I haven’t got into that level of detail,” he replied while Crowe said they should be “warned”.
“You might don shorts and then babies will start crying and traffic accidents will be caused,” he joked.
Explaining how he knows about his pale legs, Crowe said Tubridy is a “great tennis player”. Earlier in the show, Tubridy told his audience that the pair had played a bit of tennis together in the past.
In his defence, Tubs said his legs hadn’t seen daylight for 34 years, considering he retired from sport at a young age.
Despite broadcasting live from the UK, Irish listeners tuned into Ryan Tubridy, whose radio show is also available to listen to in Ireland on Dublin’s Q102, Q102.ie, and the Q102 app.
Judging from the messages Tubridy read out on air, plenty of fans in Ireland listened to his first show, with many sending well wishes as he kicked off his new venture.
Throughout the show, the radio host shared words of support from those listening in Ireland as well as Irish tuning in from abroad.
One listener in Galway wished Tubridy the best of luck, sharing that he had spoken to the host on air ten years ago, while the son of his dentist in Ireland also got in touch during the show. Another listener in Tipperary said it was “wonderful” to hear Tubs back on the airwaves, adding that they were happily doing their ironing with the Dubliner for company.
A listener who used to work with Tubridy's dad described it as a "fabulous first show", adding that Tubs is very like his father, who passed away in January 2013.
Thanking the listener, Tubridy said it was nice to remember his dad on the morning of his first show.
Tubridy signed off with a simple message to listeners. Closing the show at 1pm, the host thanked those who got in touch, adding that this was just the beginning.
He said: “This adventure has just begun. Thanks for all your messages and we’ll see you tomorrow between 10 and one. Have a beautiful day.”
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