VIDEO: Ray and Ryan play up talk of friendly rivalry at RTÉ launch

Two of Ireland’s most popular presenters — Ryan Tubridy and Ray D’Arcy — were trying hard not to let their competitive streaks show at the launch of RTÉ One’s new season schedule yesterday.

D’Arcy is taking over the Saturday Night Show from Brendan O’Connor at the end of next month and is champing at the bit.

However, with Tubridy presenting The Late Late Show on Friday nights, the two may end up fighting for the best guests.

“Right now I don’t feel we are competing, although I am competitive,” said D’Arcy.

Asked what viewers could expect from his show, he replied: “Something that is exciting, entertaining, and engaging. A lot of the people who will be on the show will be ordinary people with extraordinary lives.”

He is hoping to have a few celebrities on, too: “We’ll have the big names if Ryan doesn’t get them first.”

D’Arcy, 50, said he would probably let his competitive edge show in the New Year but would be “all nice” up to then.

D’Arcy said he and Tubridy have been getting on really well up to now. They often have coffee together and the chat is more about their children than work.

Tubridy said it’s great that D’Arcy has his own chat show. “I always said that competition is good. I was that Saturday night soldier for ages and now it is Ray. I have great time for him.”

Tubridy said he would like there to be “friendly rivalry” between the presenters.

Asked if he had any advice for his colleague, Tubridy replied: “He does not need any advice from me. He has been around for long enough.”

Ryan Tubridy and Ray D’Arcy at the launch of RTÉ One’s new season

at Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin.

D’Arcy also said he was never after the RTÉ Radio One morning slot which Tubridy got after John Murray left the programme. “That was a rumour. Sure, I am only in the door,” he said.

D’Arcy said the 3pm slot was a lifestyle choice because it allowed him to go for a run and look after his children in the mornings. Asked if he would like to present the Late Late Show. “Not right now. Ask me in five years.”

Also at the launch was Claire Byrne who is looking forward to presenting Claire Byrne Live every Monday night.

The current affairs programme attracts around 250,000 viewers. Byrne said the upcoming season will allow people more time to talk. “There will be a few minor tweaks but, overall, we will stick with the formula,” she said.

Byrne is engaged to business consultant Gerry Scollan, but the couple have not yet made any wedding plans yet. “We were at a wedding a couple of weeks ago and I said we should really get our skates on. I don’t think it will be this year and it might not be 2016. We will see.”