Broadcaster Ryan Tubridy is househunting in London and wants somewhere close to museums.
The 50-year-old sensationally left RTE this summer in a controversy sparked by irregularities over his pay but will launch a show on Virgin UK radio in January.
Speaking yesterday on Dublin radio station FM104, he sent a good luck message to his Late Late successor Patrick Kielty, 52, ahead of his first Toy Show tomorrow.
Ryan said: “I am beyond excited. This is something that I didn’t necessarily see coming. I am actually looking for an apartment or a flat. I’m not sure. I want to be near museums. I will be broadcasting every day, Monday to Friday, from Virgin studios in London.
READ MORE: Ryan Tubridy burst into tears when he heard what his daughters said about his big move to London
“Chris Evans is on in the morning and then it will be me and then Jayne Middlemiss. She is a gorgeous person. I met her last week.
“In Ireland, the show can be heard on Q102. I’m going to have to explain to my mother how to use the app. I’m not being mean about her. I love her like mad, but technology is challenging.
“I’m going to get through Christmas and then we’ll be in business.
“I’ve spent the last few weeks in talks, exploratory stuff. I was wandering around London and thinking it was huge.
“Then around the third trip over, I was in a bookshop and I found myself going, ‘I am loving this’.
“It was the parks and the museums and the churches. Then I went to the Irish Post newspaper awards and there was a great welcome.
“The upshot was that I crossed the threshold. I’m going back next week and every time I get more excited.
“The Toy Show was my favourite night of the year. It was beautiful and warm and sweet and it was magical, there was magic in the air.
“You have to be weird to present the show. As the show went on, I used to channel TV characters like Kermit [the Frog]. Then I went dark. Willy Wonka, of course. The Gene Wilder one. Also Basil Fawlty and Will Ferrell from Elf.
“Just at the end it was Larry David from Curb Your Enthusiasm. It was a special time and I wish everyone well on it this Friday.
“It’s a big gig. Good luck to the children, the crew, Paddy. Good luck everybody.
“I hope you have the same magic and love and joy that I had the privilege of on the Toy Show.”
After speaking on radio yesterday, he posted on his Instagram to reveal he is ready for the surprise radio gig in the new year.
He wrote: “Gearing up for January 2024.”
Tubridy recently ruled out a return to RTE when he said: “I don’t see any reason to go back there because I am starting a new beginning.”
He will simultaneously broadcast on both Virgin Radio UK and Dublin’s Q102 every weekday from 10am to 1pm.
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