‘I’ve just got a good feeling about this year’ – Ryan Tubridy kickstarts his new radio show in the UK

Jody Coffey

The New Year marks the start of a new role for the Irish broadcaster

Ryan Tubridy began his new role on Virgin Radio UK this morning.

The former ‘Late Late Show’ host steps into his new broadcasting position following his permanent departure from RTE in August.

Tubridy introduced himself on his first radio segment as someone who’s been “broadcasting in Ireland for the last 20 years”, and before that, “reviewing books on the radio as a child” from the age of 12.

The presenter also characterised himself as a “political anorak, bookworm, a nerd” who enjoys Star Trek and reading newspapers and hardcopy books.

He referred to his time presenting on The Late Late Show as “the most lovely job in the world” but did not make any mention of the widely publicised payments scandal that was exposed this year at RTE.

“For those of you in Ireland, you know what I’m talking about. For those who aren’t, you’ll probably say, ‘Oh, very good’. I don’t know what you’re going to do. You’ll probably look up old clips because that’s what I would do!”

Here's what to expect from the Ryan Tubridy Show LIVE on Virgin Radio UK! ☘️

Tune in: https://t.co/nBoiFJobuf pic.twitter.com/11GnfSFmcU
— Virgin Radio UK (@VirginRadioUK) January 2, 2024

Discussing his move to the UK, the media personality said he has received a “lovely welcome from everybody”.

“I woke up this morning with a smile on my face going, I cannot wait to go to work, I cannot wait to get stuck into this year, I cannot wait to say goodbye to 2023 because I’ve just got a good feeling about this year,” Tubridy added.

The broadcaster kicked off his first show by saying that he has “so much to do and so much to say”, before playing U2’s ‘Pride (In the Name of Love)’, followed by the Backstreet Boys’ ‘I Want It That Way’.

Tubridy’s first guest on his new show was Hollywood actor, Russell Crowe.

The pair chatted about his upcoming movie role in Nuremberg as Nazi leader Hermann Göring, as well as his Ireland and UK tour with his band, Indoor Garden Party.

The weekday radio show airs from 10am to 1pm on Virgin Radio UK and is simulcast in Ireland on Q102.