RTÉ presenter Lottie Ryan announces departure from star agency

The same agency was involved in negotiations for Ryan Tubridy's controversial RTÉ contract.

Lottie Ryan has confirmed that she parted ways with her agent Noel Kelly "a number of weeks ago". The announcement comes days after Ryan was embroiled in controversy surrounding a personal car endorsement on RTÉ property. Noel Kelly's talent agency has been in the headlines recently over revelations of undisclosed payments paid to his client, former Late Late Show presenter Ryan Tubridy, from RTÉ. The agent represents a number of high profile RTÉ employees, including Tubridy, Joe Duffy and Claire Byrne. Ryan wrote in a social media statement: "My relationship with NK Management ended a number of weeks ago when we respectfully parted ways. I will not be making any further comment."

Lottie Ryan spoken to by RTÉ chiefs about car promotion

Ryan became the latest figure to be dragged into the RTÉ crisis after it emerged that she filmed a personal promotional advert for a car company on the broadcaster’s campus, without permission. The video, which showed off the €50,000 car, appeared just a day after Ryan Tubridy’s payment from another car brand was revealed. In a statement, an RTÉ spokesperson said: "Permission was not given by RTÉ to Lottie Ryan for the filming or for the post in question. RTÉ has comprehensive social media guidelines that all employees – staff and contractors – are contractually obliged to adhere to. "This matter has been addressed with her by management. The post has been taken down." Despite Ryan saying her relationship with her agency had ended "a number of weeks ago", her image appeared on the website up until today, Tuesday July 4, where it has now been removed.

According to the Irish Independent, a number of RTÉ stars have earned thousands of euro through social media ads for up to 70 brands in the past two years, including champagne, days at the races, cars, televisions and jewellery.

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• Brendan O’Connor says Tubridy scandal has made the public ‘feel foolish’