Tubridy’s off to the BBC again — but stresses it’s not for good

IS HE? Isn’t he?

The pantomime season kicked off in earnest yesterday after Late Late Show presenter Ryan Tubridy claimed he was quitting the long-running chat show before quickly insisting that he was only joking about his departure from RTÉ.

However, the prominent presenter has moved a step closer to a permanent move away from Ireland as it was confirmed that he has secured another short term with the BBC this Christmas.

Tubridy is set to fill in for BBC Radio 2 DJ Ken Bruce on his daily show from December 27 for a short period over the Christmas holidays.

It will be the broadcaster’s second stint with the BBC and follows his successful eight-week stint as a stand-in presenter for Graham Norton on the same station this summer.

Tubridy, who has faced growing criticism over falling ratings for his TV and radio shows, appeared on Derek Mooney’s radio show to promote St Vincent de Paul’s toy appeal when he “revealed” that he was quitting as Late Late Show host.

This prompted queries from RTÉ’s own newsroom forced Tubridy to hurriedly admit: “It was a joke.”

Last October, Tubridy pledged his future to RTÉ despite facing a 30% pay cut in his earnings since 2008. The latest figures show that RTÉ paid Tubridy a total of €519,667 in 2009.

“I’m not going anywhere. I love my work in RTÉ,” declared the 38-year-old presenter.

It has also emerged that Tubridy will present a one-off documentary for BBC Radio 2 on Riverdance, entitled Tiger Feet, due to be broadcast on December 21.