Ryan Tubridy’s Decision to Leave The Late Late Show
Ryan Tubridy, a well-known TV and radio host, has openly shared the reasons behind his departure from The Late Late Show. He had been the face of the popular RTÉ chat show for 14 years before stepping down as host in May 2023. This decision came around the time of his 50th birthday, and he explained that he wanted to leave the show before he felt it was no longer enjoyable.
His exit coincided with a period of significant changes within RTÉ. In the weeks following his departure, the national broadcaster faced several revelations regarding payment scandals. It was uncovered that RTÉ had paid the presenter €345,000 more than publicly declared between 2017 and 2022. This led to his eventual exit from the organization.
Now based in London, working on Virgin Radio and engaged to his partner Dr Clare Kambamettu, Ryan reflects on his time at RTÉ with a sense of gratitude. However, he does not miss the daily grind of hosting The Late Late Show. When asked if he missed the show, he responded clearly: “No, I don’t.”
A Joyful Exit and New Beginnings
Ryan described his time on The Late Late Show as a period filled with joy. “I had a great time there, but I left the Late Late Show because I’d had my fill, and it was joyful,” he said during an interview on Cork 96fm’s Opinion Line with PJ Coogan. He emphasized that he made the decision to leave while still at the peak of his career, believing that continuing would eventually diminish the joy he once felt.
He recalled the “beautiful send-off” the team gave him. “Even somebody arranged for Paul McCartney to send a video message to that last show. And so it was, it was a thing of great joy,” he added. For Ryan, leaving The Late Late Show was not a sad moment but rather a natural transition. “It was just a curve. Move on to the next thing [moving to London] and, and it’s just a different class of joy.”
Adjusting to Life in London
Despite being a “late starter” when it came to living abroad, Ryan has settled well into life in London. At 50, he moved to the city without prior experience of living outside Ireland. “I mean, you know, when I moved to London, I was going where, like, I didn’t know London at all,” he admitted.
However, he finds the city exciting and enjoys its vibrant energy. “It’s great fun. Oh, I love London’s buzz.” His new chapter in London brings a fresh perspective and a different kind of happiness, one that complements the experiences he gained during his time on The Late Late Show.
Reflecting on a Career and Future Plans
Ryan’s journey from RTÉ to London highlights his ability to adapt and embrace change. While he values the time spent on The Late Late Show, he is clear that he does not long for the days of presenting the program. Instead, he looks forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.
As he continues his work on Virgin Radio and prepares for his future with Dr Clare Kambamettu, Ryan remains focused on the positive aspects of his career and personal life. His story serves as a reminder that sometimes, moving on is the best decision, even when it means leaving behind something that brought a lot of joy.
