Tubridy set for RTE comeback

Extra.ie​

08-08-2025

Ryan Tubridy is 'positioning himself' for a sensational return to the national broadcaster, multiple sources have told Extra.ie
In a dramatic turn of events, Tubridy today repaid the 150,000 'secret payment' which was at the heart of his exit from RTE more than two years ago.
News websites extra.ie and evoke.ie were the first to break the news that Tubridy had returned the sum of 150,000 to the public coffers. Ryan Tubridy. Pic: Nick Edwards
And in the wake of the news breaking, a number of insider radio sources told extra.ie that returning the massive sum of money is 'more than just an altruistic gesture.'
'Would you hand back €150,000 if you didn't have to? Sorry for my language but you would in your h**e'
'There has to be a quid pro quo. So Ryan's handed over the quid so what's the pro'.
'There's the hand of god- or in this case the hand of Noel Kelly- behind the returning of the 150k,' said a source very familiar with the backroom wheeling-and-dealing in radioland. Noel Kelly with Ryan Tubridy – Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
'It's been well-known for quite some time that Kelly has been orchestrating a campaign to get Tubridy back to RTE,' said the source
'That old saying 'a fool and his money are easily parted' springs to mind. And Noel Kelly may be many things, but a fool he is most definitely not.'
'So returning the money, just a day after the JNLR's when RTE listenership figures were pretty poor across the board ,smacks of more than a goodwill gesture.' Ryan Tubridy. Pic: Virgin Radio UK
Indeed the mutterings that Tubridy is set for a comeback have been whispered quietly in the Montrose corridors for some time now.
But when the news was broken by extra.ie today that Tubs had handed back the cash, the whispers became somewhat louder.
'Its been kind of whispered- behind closed doors of course – that Tubrdiy may be coming back. Noel Kelly has been spotted, I'm not going to say in RTE but he's been seen around the vicinity,' they laughed.
And the timing couldn't be more prescient. Former RTE Director General Dee Forbes with Ryan Tubridy – Pic: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie
'The JNLR's were out yesterday and RTE did not do well. Joe Duffy is gone, so their flagship show Liveline is up for grabs. It was also announced this week that Mark Simpson was coming across from Newstalk. He has no bad blood with Tubridy, so things are slowly slowly adding up for Tubs to make a road to Damascus-esque return.'
'And here's the other thing. Kelly just doesn't come with a presenter, he comes with a package. Much like he negotiated a sponsorship deal for Doireann Garrihy's 2Fm show. So if Tubridy were to be taken back, his show would be bumper listeners for the first few months at least. So what brand, aside from Renault of course- wouldn't want to get on board that train and sponsor the greatest comeback in RTE's history.'
Indeed a third source in the upper echelons of RTE Radio towers further confirmed that a return could very well be on the cards. Clare Tubridy and Ryan Tubridy join Elgin Loane, Publisher of The Irish Post, for The King George for a day of hospitality curated by Zafar Rushdie at Ascot Racecourse. Pic: Getty Images
'Whatever media people may think about Ryan, the fact of the matter is there is an enormous amount public goodwill and show of support for him amongst the general public.'
He's got a certain kind of a way with people, they just gravitate to Ryan in a way that not many other broadcasters have. And with Mark Simpson coming over from Newstalk, he hasn't made any promises to staff about Tubridy or voiced any opinion on the matter.
Mark has come from an independent station and they are focused now on what listeners want. And to be honest a lot of listeners want Tubridy.' Mark Simpson – Pic – RTE
Mutterings of the potential return of Tubridy back into the RTE fold began to circulate when he pitched up at Joe Duffy's leaving bash in July.
One source told extra.ie that when they saw Tubridy mingling among his former colleagues at RTE, it was a sign that the prodigal son was making inroads back.
'As soon as I saw Ryan there I was like 'hmmm, this is a sign that fences are mending. It's well known that Ryan is a homebird . He can survive in London but he's not exactly thriving' .
His show on Virgin isn't setting the world alight but it's a gig. But Tubridy loves Ireland and it's kind of known that he wants to come home. And home for Ryan has and always will be RTE.' Ryan Tubridy and Graham Norton at Evans Store Bantry before going onstage for the last event of this years West Cork Literary Festival. Pic: Darragh Kane
And an RTE staffer told extra.ie that management at Montrose are 'spineless ' and as 'sure as day they would have him back'
'Of course they'll have him back. They're spineless. It doesn't matter what promises were made to staff or how they might feel if Ryan returns. They rather put up with a few disgruntled workers than stand up for their principles. So yeah of course they'll have him back.'