Could Dáithí Ó Sé be the next host of RTE's Liveline? He's certainly not ruling it out

Extra.ie​

21-05-2025

Daithi O'Se isn't ruling himself in OR out to replace Joe Duffy as the presenter of Liveline.
The Today Show host, who this week emerged as the bookies' favourite to replace Joe Duffy on Liveline, says he isn't ruling out or in a move from TV to radio.
Dingle broadcaster Daithi said he was as surprised as anyone to see he was leading the race to replace Duffy, who departs his role in June. Detailing the summer plans, the 46-year-old shared that he had his summer 'boxed off nicely' with four to five weeks with no plans. Pic: Instagram/ Daithi O'Se
'I just came off air and saw then 40 missed calls,' laughed Daithi, before adding 'but you're the only person I've called back.'
News broke last week that Joe Duffy is set to leave the daytime phone-in show at the end of June, bringing a 27-year tenure to an end.
The lucrative job will be highly sought-after by a whole host of broadcasting talent, and now Rose of Tralee host Dáithí has emerged as the frontrunner.
The Kerryman has presented alongside Maura Derrane on the RTE One Today show for more than a decade.
He also previously worked in TV with TG4, while he has also shone in the role of Rose of Tralee host since 2010. Joe Duffy. Pic: RTÉ
Now, bookies have placed Daithi at 3/1 to replace Duffy, with an announcement expected from RTE over the summer.
Cal Gildart of Ladbrokes commented: 'The search continues for Joe Duffy's replacement, with many staying tight-lipped about it all.
Daithí Ó Sé is now a contender for the show with his years of experience in the RTÉ frontline, and punters think he would be a perfect fit.'
'I'm as in the dark as anyone,' Daithi told Extra.ie, but he did reveal that he has a high-level discussion scheduled with RTE bosses next month.
'All I know is that I'm meeting up with the bosses in the middle of June to discuss what's going on and going forward.'
When pressed if these meetings had been in the world prior to Joe Duffy announcing his retirement, Kerryman Daithi said: 'I haven't heard anything.
'Well, it probably was really. We just said we would meet and have this whole kind of sit down and say 'okay, where are we going forward?,' Daithi revealed.
But he says, while he is humbled, his name has been thrown into the mix, he is content with his current gig co-hosting The Today Show along with Maura Derrane and Sinead Kennedy. Pic: Instagram/ Daithi O'Se
'All I know is that I'm very happy where I am at the moment. The Today Show is going great. I think it's up 20% from this time last year. So that's huge. We're hitting between 25 and 30% share. Which is fantastic. '
And with bumper numbers, Daithi is delighted to wrap this season's show on such a high: 'We're finishing up a week Friday from the season. So it's great to wrap on a high.'
As he begins to wind down for summer, dad-of-one Daithi says he's looking forward to enjoying some valuable family time with wife Rita and son.
And it seems that for cheeky-chappy chat show host Daithi, it's a case of like father-like-son.
'He's a right little rogue. He's going into sixth class in September, then it's just one more year before he's off to secondary school.'
But of course, Daithi's summer fun will break for his annual hosting of The Rose of Tralee. 'The Rose of Tralee just comes around so quickly every year.'
And rebuking suggestions that the annual lovely ladies competition is out-dated Daithi says that the Rose's are true representatives of modern women.
'I truly do think that the Rose's are representative of what's happening in society at the moment,' said Daithi.
'When it comes to say jobs and career and when it comes to family life. Say going back to the 70s and 80s, you might have seen teachers or nurses, jobs that would have been perceived as female jobs.'
'Now you're talking about people in finance, you're talking about occupational therapists, you're talking about doctors, engineers, and you're talking about people who are single moms, people who have live-in partners. And we've had a gay Rose; roses gay, which is great,' said Daithi.
' So it's a real representative of what's going on in society in that particular year. And it's a celebration of Irish women. And I always say, when is the celebration of Irish women ever out of date? Never.'
And so sure of Daithi in the enduring nature of the Rose of Tralee he says his mini-me son could one day oust him as host.
'You never know one day he might be taking over the presenting job.'