And here is your (new) host...

BOOKIES and ice cream makers were among the first to whip up novel interest yesterday in the appointment of Ryan Tubridy as the new host of the world’s longest running TV chat show.

Ben & Jerry’s, who are looking for an Irish entry in a global fairtrade initiative, have suggested something like a Late Late Tub-ridy of their ice cream and there might even be one for everyone in the audience.

Meanwhile, bookies are taking bets on the identity of Tubridy’s first guest when he takes over the show next September – Pat Kenny is the even money favourite, Gay Byrne is 2/1, and US president Barack Obama is 8/1 to appear on the show before the end of 2009.