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Extra.ie
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
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 '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 '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.
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
RTE star tipped to replace Joe Duffy as Liveline host as ‘it looks like decision made' after presenter's TV show axed
LIVELINE favourite Katie Hannon is tipped to take over from Joe Duffy after announcing the shock end of her TV show today. RTE chiefs confirmed that its flagship Monday night current affairs series, Upfront with Katie Hannon, Advertisement 1 Joe Duffy's most likely successor has been revealed Credit: Copyright remains with handout provider And as Hannon — currently the 1/5 odds-on fave with She will also host a new TV series ahead of the Presidential election, which must take place by November. In a statement, Hannon, 53, said: 'I'm very proud of what we achieved on Upfront. Advertisement read more on joe duffy "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.' Advertisement Most read in News TV A spokeswoman for RTE said: 'The decision to wrap production has been made due to the prioritising of people and financial resources, as the organisation incurs significant change and becomes smaller. 'As part of the organisation's new direction strategy in the prioritising of digital content, it has recently launched a news podcast and 'Clarity', a new strand beginning to tackle increasing misinformation and disinformation challenges.' Joe Duffy fights back tears on air Other employees from the show will continue working with RTE News and Current Affairs section of the national broadcaster. Upfront started in January 2023 as a replacement to Advertisement The most recent series of Upfront With Katie Hannon, which ran from September 24 to May 25, had an average audience rating of 198,000. TOP TV This represents a 25.8 per cent of audience share, with these figures being up from an average of 168,000 and 23.7 per cent in series two. Similarly, the series grew on the RTE Player, attracting 269,000 streams in series three, from 209,000 in series two. Clips from the programme have also generated over 3.3 million video views on Advertisement A source told us: 'Katie Hannon is the obvious successor to Joe on Liveline. She has been filling in for so long.' Katie currently leads the way as the bookmakers' favourite to replace the 69-year-old. Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: "It looks as though a decision has been made when it comes to Joe Duffy's replacement. With Upfront now cancelled, Katie Hannon's diary is now clear for the iconic gig, and the odds suggest it's hers." Advertisement
