Revealed: The five candidates set to get a chance at Liveline audition
The Liveline is open and the race to replace Joe Duffy kicks off this week when the first of five internal RTÉ contenders gets a live on-air test to show they've got what it takes to helm the flagship open-mic radio show.
An RTÉ source said Montrose bosses have identified five potential internal candidates to take over Duffy's coveted Radio 1 programme.
These include the Drivetime duo Sarah McInerney and Cormac Ó hEadhra, regular Liveline stand-in Katie Hannon, Saturday show presenter Colm O'Mongáin, and Countrywide host Philip Boucher-Hayes, who will stand in for Duffy from Monday. Sarah McInerney and Cormac Ó hEadhra. Pic: Ruth Medjber
After Boucher-Hayes, three of his RTÉ radio colleagues will get their chance to impress in the Liveline hotseat, RTE confirmed last night. It is understood Katie Hannon has already done enough while filling in to stake her claim. Sources also said a 'serious shake-up' of RTÉ's Radio 1 stable is on the cards.
One RTÉ insider told Extra.ie: 'The race is on! There is a serious shake-up coming, especially in relation to Drivetime.
'So bosses here want to kind of sound out how they [McInerney and O hEadhra] do on Liveline. Colm O'Mongáin. Pic: File
'Sarah McInerney is really good on the current affairs side. They [RTÉ bosses] want to check if she can do the lighter, bright and breezy stuff on a regular basis. Cormac Ó hEadhra ticks both boxes,' they said.
The source said O Mongáin 'has made a seriously good impression here, so his name keeps popping up. While not as well known, Colm is making a great fist at his weekend show, so there's the thinking that a relatively new name would be best to take Liveline into the future.'
Hannon, whose Monday night current affairs TV show – Upfront With Katie Hannon – was cancelled this week, is also 'in the mix', according to sources. Katie Hannon on RTÉ Radio 1. Pic: RTÉ
But one insider told Extra.ie: 'There is no doubt that Katie has handled the role well whenever she stands in for Joe, but that in no way means that she will get the gig full time.'
The focus on internal talent appears to rule out outside candidates such as Newstalk presenter Ciara Kelly, who had been rumoured to be in the frame to succeed Duffy. RTÉ opened an 'expressions of interest' portal as part of its search for the new Liveline host, which will remain open until this Friday, July 4. The final decision on Duffy's replacement will be made in September.
It is understood there was significant interest in the job among RTÉ's stable of radio and TV personalities. However, sources said RTÉ has narrowed the field to the five who will temporarily present the show over the summer in a 'sink or swim' on-air interview to ensure the 'right person for the job' is appointed. Joe Duffy. Pic: Michael Chester
Referring to the challenge of finding the right successor to Duffy, a source noted: 'Whoever does land the gig has to demonstrate they have a serious level of current affairs knowledge, and an ability to grapple with some tricky legal issues that often arise on Liveline.
'And quite frankly, some people simply don't possess those skills,' the source added.
Long-serving Montrose star Duffy announced in May that he was hanging up his Liveline mic after 27 years at the helm of the flagship RTÉ Radio 1 phone-in show.
An RTÉ spokeswoman yesterday confirmed Boucher-Hayes, McInerney, O hEadhra and O Mongáin will fill in as Liveline presenter until Duffy's successor is announced.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sunday World
3 hours ago
- Sunday World
Stars turn out for Joe Duffy's last show as he finally calls time on Liveline
Broadcasting legend Joe hosted going-away drinks in Dublin city centre pub The Duke on Friday night after officially signing off as Liveline host Ryan Tubridy arrived at The Duke with his new fiancée Dr Clare Kambamettu Ronan Collins believes his pal Joe Duffy did the right thing retiring from his Liveline show before he reached the age of 70 – and reveals he gave him lots of advice before he make his decision. Broadcasting legend Joe hosted going-away drinks in Dublin city centre pub The Duke on Friday night after officially signing off as Liveline host. Ryan Tubridy chose the retirement party to make his first public appearance with his new fiancée Dr Clare Kambamettu since the announcement of their engagement. A beaming Ryan called over photographers to where the couple were and said with a smile 'I presume you want a picture of the ring?!'. Sadhbh Byrne with her mum, Suzy Byrne and Mike Murphy Clare proudly showed off her sparkler, with the couple being congratulated by well-wishers. Speaking to the Sunday World, Joe's close pal Ronan says they spoke recently about life after RTÉ. Just over two-and-a-half years ago in December 2022 Ronan (72) caused shockwaves when he gave up his weekday noon slot on RTÉ Radio One. At its peak, 250,000 listeners tuned into the Ronan Collins Show. The father of three now presents a regular music show, The Collins Collection, on bank holidays and also programmes for RTÉ Gold. The one-time showband drummer decided to pack in his Radio One show having just turned 70 and being with RTÉ since 1979, replaced by former Today FM presenter Louise Duffy. 'He used to come into me every day at half 12 to do his little promo, and we had long chats about things,' Ronan tells the Sunday World. 'It was always his complete dedication that got him through. It was extraordinary how dedicated he was. 'I would have said to him even before he made the announcement, 'Joe there will come a time when this will come into your head, when it's put in your head by your family or elsewhere.' Aonghus McAnally and Brush Shields at Joe's party 'You need to get it into your head yourself, the time to finish, and stick with that'. I said 'you will find the release to be quite extraordinary and you will be able to enjoy your last weeks or months'.' Ronan believes Joe (69) has made the right decision to quit after hosting Liveline for nearly 27 years.. 'I just think it was great for him. I saw him on the Six One News today (on Friday), which even though I'm away we watched, and I just thought he looked so relaxed and calm and very happy in where he is today. That's the important thing. He owes RTÉ nothing,' he says. 'I'm away in Portugal so I didn't hear his last show, but I have spoken with Joe recently. 'I'm delighted for him that he's finished, because having experience, when you reach that age, it becomes quite a burden and it becomes very difficult to give up, so it was a very big decision and the right decision, I think, for him.' While Ronan was not able to make Joe's going-away party, some of RTÉ's biggest former and current stars turned out to say farewell on Friday. Among those at the party were Miriam O'Callaghan, Aonghus McAnally, Brush Shields, Syl Fox, John McColgan, Mike Murphy, Health Minister Dr Jennifer Carroll MacNeil, Gay Byrne's daughter Suzy and daughter Sadhbh, and Charlie Bird's widow Claire Mould. Joe was earlier in the day joined by his going-away show by his wife June and their triplet children, who are now aged 30. A number of high-profile presenters, including Katie Hannon, have been tipped to take over from Joe; however, Ronan says he believes Joe is irreplaceable. 'I mean he's going to be very hard to replace. To get somebody who's going to mould themselves into Liveline, it's going to be a tough gig because it was Joe who made it what it was. Ryan Tubridy arrived at The Duke with his new fiancée Dr Clare Kambamettu 'He put him own stamp on it (replacing Marian Finucane). I hope whoever goes in for the long term is allowed to put their own identification on it. 'He was just extraordinary the way he stuck at it for so long through thick and thin, and he and I used to have long chats.' He points out that even though Joe was on air for just an hour and 15 minutes with his show, it took up so much more of his time. 'I was out socially with Joe on a number of occasions through the years and it showed Joe's Liveline life wasn't just an hour day, it was every waking hour of the day because people were extraordinary how they came to him and he never turned him away,' he notes. Miriam O'Callaghan with Joe Duffy at Joe's party News in 90 Seconds - June 29th 'It was easy for me, I was in showbusiness, but Joe's various social stuff, that he always tried to keep at social and human stuff, and didn't allow it to be political. It was a great gift that he had.' He says that many will miss him on the radio, but argues Joe had to think of his own future. 'I think the relief showed on Joe's face today, that he has given his all and now it's time to give the same attention to his own life now, to his wife June and his kids, and do the things he wants to do now,' he adds. 'Of course, he'll find out like everybody who retirees, that there's not enough hours in the day to do all the things that you wanted to do.' Ronan has not looked back on his own departure. 'It was the second-best decision in my life,' he reflects. 'The best one was agreeing to do the job in the first place in 1979, and the next best decision was agreeing to stop, or deciding to stop. 'It was just the right time for me, two-and-a-half years ago and I believe it's the right time for Joe now, before he hits 70.'
Extra.ie
8 hours ago
- Extra.ie
In Pics: Tubs and fiancee among stars who rocked up at Joe's leaving do
Ryan Tubridy and his fiancée, Clare Kambamettu, were among the stars who rocked up to Joe Duffy's farewell do. His Liveline programme was famous for its good-humoured Funny Friday episodes. So it was no surprise some of the musicians and comedians who made the show a hit turned up to raise a toast and bid farewell to Joe Duffy after he presented his last-ever Liveline on Friday. Aonghus McAnally and Brush Shiels. Pic: Michael Chester Among them were Funny Friday stalwarts Brush Shiels, Aonghus McAnally and Sil Fox. They were joined at The Duke pub, just off Grafton Street in Dublin, by Joe's RTÉ colleagues, Miriam O'Callaghan, Marty Morrissey and former broadcaster Mike Murphy. Miriam O'Callaghan and Joe Duffy. Pic: Michael Chester Former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy made his first public appearance with his fiancée, Clare Kambamettu, since they announced their engagement. Joe, wearing one of his trademark colourful waist coats, stopped to chat with people on the street as he arrived at his party. Joe Duffy. Pic: Michael Chester Ryan Tubridy and fiancée Clare. Pic: Michael Chester Marty Morrissey. Pic: Michael Chester Aonghus McAnally and Brush Shiels. Pic: Michael Chester Mike Murphy with Gay Byrne's daughter, Suzy, and granddaughter, Sive. Pic: Michael Chester Miriam O'Callaghan and Joe Duffy. Pic: Michael Chester
Irish Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
RTE Liveline replacement confirmed for Joe Duffy's first week off air
RTÉ has disclosed the presenter who will cover Liveline next week as Joe Duffy steps back into retirement. After 27 years steering the show, the much-admired broadcaster bade farewell to his renowned Radio 1 programme this Friday. The national broadcaster is set to begin the search for Duffy's replacement, with an official announcement expected come autumn. Prior to his last broadcast on Friday, Joe, at the age of 69, assured listeners there would be no break in the Liveline schedule, confirming it would air as usual on Monday. Philip Boucher-Hayes is the chosen stand-in for hosting the esteemed talk show next week, reports RSVP Live. A known voice on RTÉ, Philip presents Countrywide on Radio 1 and has previous experience filling in on Liveline. He has regularly been the relief host for Today With Claire Byrne too. While the radio landscape buzzes with guesses about who will permanently take over Liveline, the reveal is slated for later in the year, with audiences expecting the news by autumn. Amidst rising conjecture, there is talk of Katie Hannon stepping into Duffy's shoes, particularly after her current affairs TV show, Upfront with Katie Hannon, was cancelled after three seasons, not to return this September. Nonetheless, Hannon continues as the voice behind the RTÉ podcast Behind the Story and is also set to front a new television programme ahead of 2025's Presidential election. Commenting on her programme's termination, Katie said: "I'm very proud of what we achieved on Upfront. We managed to buck the international trend and actually grew our audience on linear television and our digital footprint. "It was a privilege to work with our small team of talented and hardworking colleagues led by our editor Janet Traynor. "I also want to thank all of those who came into our studio and trusted us with their stories and contributed to the national conversation on the issues that matter to all of us. "I'm disappointed that we won't be able to keep that conversation going." In his final moments on Friday's Liveline, Joe kept things succinct but memorable, even reviving his famous pandemic message, 'wash your hands'. To his audience, he said: "That's all from me on Liveline. Goodbye from Studio 1, and remember, 51551. Wash your hands. "Love you all. It's been a privilege. It's been a privilege."
