Philip Boucher-Hayes shuts down RTE Liveline rumours with cheeky swipe
He is only stepping in as host for two weeks before RTE selects another presenter to fill the show over the summer radio schedule.
However, the host told listeners at the start of Liveline on Monday that he had eight different people over the weekend congratulating him on becoming the new host of the iconic phone-in show.
But he clarified: 'For the avoidance of further confusion, let us just set it out once again, RTE has not made a decision on this. There are five wannabes. In fact, there's probably a hell of a lot more than five wannabes, but there are five wannabes, yours truly, included being put through their paces on air before RTE makes a decision.
'After that, we will move to the swimwear and ball gown elements of the competition. I think I've got that section nailed down. I want to though, because in the final round is the Hunger Games, they will be placing a big cache of non-lethal weapons under the RTE mast and letting us all race to them, grab your preferred weapon and have at it.
'And everybody is hoping, by that stage of the competition that Sarah McInerney has been taken out because she is very handy with the numb chucks, but the news is no decision made. Well, maybe they have made a decision after my first week in the chair. But let's leave that aside there is officially no decision made, so on with the show.'
Mr Duffy retired in star-studded fashion after 27 years at the helm of Liveline on June 27. Joe kept his final sign-off from Liveline on Friday short and sweet, and even revived his iconic pandemic sign-off 'wash your hands'.
He told listeners: "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."
Speculation remains rife over who will be the new host of Liveline, but it looks like radio fans will have to wait until the autumn for an official announcement.
Rumours swirled that Katie Hannon will be taking over from Joe following the news that her current affairs TV series, Upfront with Katie Hannon, has been axed after three seasons and won't be back on air in September.
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