DR KELLY TAKES OVER HOOK NEWSTALK SLOT TV medic steps in to front new lunchtime show
OPERATION Transformation star Ciara Kelly has been revealed as George Hook’s replacement on his radio slot. The longtime Newstalk broadcaster and contributor will host a new show called Lunchtime Live, which kicks off on Monday. Kelly, who has a Saturday morning show on Newstalk, has been standing in for 76-year-old Hook since he was axed from his High Noon programme last month following his controversial rape comments. For the new show, Dr Kelly will tackle a variety of topics from current affairs and politics to lifestyle and human interest stories. She said: “I’m very excited to be presenting Lunchtime Live on Newstalk. It’s going to be great to front a show that has real interaction with listeners, where we get stuck into issues people are talking about in their daily lives. “I am lucky to have a brilliant, dynamic team behind me and we want to make fearless, fresh and compelling radio.” Communicorp chief Adrien Serle insisted Dr Kelly would add a “great dynamic” to the station. He said: “We are delighted Ciara will be presenting this new show on Newstalk’s primetime schedule. “Ciara already has a strong relationship with the station and resonates well with our listeners, so we are looking forward to developing that relationship with us and our listeners through Lunchtime Live.” Meanwhile, shamed Hook is due to return to the station in December to take on a new weekend show. The veteran broadcaster came under fire when speaking about allegations of rape he asked: “Why does a girl who just meets a fella in a bar go back to a hotel room? “She’s only just barely met him. She has no idea of his health conditions, she has no idea who he is, no idea what dangers he might pose. “Is there no blame now to the person who puts themselves in danger? “There is personal responsibility because it’s your daughter and my daughter.”