Golden boy Tubridy to step up to the mike in Gerry’s old slot

LATE Late Show host Ryan Tubridy has been chosen as the thin white hope of radio 2fm, taking the seat vacated by the late shock jock Gerry Ryan.

In response to recent reports, RTÉ bosses have pulled the plug on any suggestions that Tubridy is being paid €1 million per annum to fill the 9am to 11am slot.

RTÉ bosses approached their ‘golden boy’ with the new job offer amid fears that Ryan’s hundreds of thousands of 2fm listeners were turning-off or tuning-in elsewhere.

Last week, Tubridy was said to be taking a break during which he would consider the offer.

“I have had a long hard think, and I feel that the time is right to move to 2fm,” said Tubridy.

“In my new role on 2fm I will be presenting a programme that will be very different, with a different time slot, and a different style of presenting.

“But I will always be mindful of Gerry and the audience he built up down through the years. I will consider it an honour and a privilege to sit in the chair he sat in for so long.”

2fm’s flagship programme will run from 9am to 11am, an hour less than The Gerry Ryan Show, and will begin in the last week of August.

Tubridy will leave his present Radio One weekday morning show to take up the new post in a move RTÉ bosses hope will secure the huge audience of listeners Ryan had built up.

Yesterday, RTÉ bosses said reports of a €1m contract for the 2fm move were “inflated, inaccurate and speculative”.

The state broadcaster said Tubridy’s new posting would not incur an additional fee.

After Ryan’s sudden death last April, his seat was filled, on a temporary basis, by Colm Hayes and Lucy Kennedy.

However, amid reports that the show is haemorrhaging listeners, the RTÉ station bosses have opted for the man they believe can maintain their customer base.

John McMahon, head of 2fm, said he was delighted to welcome back Tubridy to the station.

“I’ve made no secret that I wanted him back on 2fm,” he said.

“Now, with Ryan on board, the future for 2fm is even more exciting.”

RTÉ will announce plans for its new Radio One and 2fm schedule in the autumn.