06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
The contenders to be next Liveline host amid search for Joe Duffy's replacement
With Brenda Donohue hoping to shake things up as she confesses she would love to replace Joe Duffy and host Liveline, we look at who is in the running for the most in demand job at RTE.
The Liveline host was one of a kind and finding a new Joe is a tough task for RTE bosses.
We look at those who will take turns at the mic for the next few weeks, as well as some other dark horses, such as Brenda, Daithi O' Se and Andrea Gilligan - and the woman being tipped as most likely for the hot seat: Katie Hannon.
They'd need a mix of humour, common touch, and current affairs knowledge.
RTE bosses are testing out Drivetime duo Sarah McInerney and Cormac Ó hEadhra, regular Liveline stand-in Katie Hannon, Saturday show presenter Colm Ó Mongáin, and Countrywide host Philip Boucher-Hayes.
What's in their backgrounds that qualifies them for the key spot, and what are their strengths - and weaknesses - that will be considered in the final say.
Brenda could be the dark horse. She's been a reporter for over 30 years after she joined The Gerry Ryan Show shortly after the late DJ landed the gig. She was his roving reporter for 18 years.
Her TV and radio credits also include Countrywide, The Today Show, Celebrity Banisteoir and The Afternoon Show.
Brenda told us: 'Am I going to put an expression of interest in like half the country is for the job? Yes. I will.
'I talk to people. I like people. They are the things that are going for me. I spent all my life talking to people. Hearing their ups and downs. I love all that.
'But it is a hard show. It is really tough.'
The presenter reportedly 'ticks the boxes'. Sources previously told the Irish Mail on Sunday that Ó Mongáin 'has made a seriously good impression in 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.'
The presenter is currently filling in for two weeks after Joe left the station on Friday, June 27.
His dulcet tones are warming to listeners at the moment as he asks people to 'be kind' as he takes over the hot seat temporarily, while admitting hosting Liveline is 'quite daunting'.
Since October 2022, he's been the host of Countrywide on RTE Radio 1, and continues to present documentary series on climate, food, and consumer affairs (Hot Air, Buyer Beware!, What Are You Eating?)
The everyman from Kerry has also remained popular amongst viewers as co-host of RTE's Today Show. The Rose of Tralee host is best known for co-hosting the daily chat show, alongside Maura Derrane and Sinéad Kennedy.
He also has a strong background in Irish-language broadcasting, having worked extensively with TG4.
He's a bookies favourite at 3/1 to take the iconic slot on Radio One with Ladbrokes.
Newstalk host Andrea's name was among those thrown into the mix.
But the star played down wanting to move to RTE, saying: 'It's a lovely honour to hear my name in the mix among so many fantastic, amazing broadcasters. But my focus is very much on my own show.'
With RTE announcing they have axed her Monday night current affairs show, Upfront With Katie Hannon, heads have turned to see if Katie is the likely successor to the show.
She previously hosted Liveline when Joe was on annual leave or busy presenting The Meaning of Life, so audiences are already used to the presenter if she is the chosen one to take over the reins.
The ex-2FM star had previously told us you'd be 'mad not to consider' the job but has since done a U-turn and told Oliver Callan she has 'absolutely no interest' in the job.
She's no stranger to call ins though, after working for ten years at the helm of her own 2FM show.
Newstalk's Ciara Kelly has highlighted her credentials in the race to replace Joe Duffy - but knows the veteran broadcaster will be an 'extremely hard act to follow'.
The Newstalk Breakfast host is one of several names in the running to take the Liveline hot seat
Asked about the prospect of going solo after five years presenting as a duo with Shane Coleman, Kelly pointed out she did three years on Lunchtime Live - 'the Newstalk equivalent' to Liveline - before taking the morning slot.
The former GP told the Irish Mail on Sunday: 'I did the first ever interactive radio show on Newstalk.
'I took over from George Hook in that slot and grew the audience very nicely. So yes, I did do that role, and it went well actually.'
Remaining coy as to whether she has been approached by RTÉ, the former Operation Transformation contributor said she 'couldn't possibly say anything about any of that.'
