Will Joe find a new Line of work?
Bookies slash odds of move despite on- air claim by RTE veteran Duffy
BOOKIES have slashed odds on Joe Duffy quitting RTE despite his on- air claims that it’s “the first I’ve heard about it”.
Newstalk and Today FM have become favourites to snap up the veteran host after RTE boss Kevin Bakhurst told us the 68- year- old has asked for his contract not to be renewed next year.
Boylesports have cut the odds on his exit from the station when his current deal expires next year to from 8/ 1 down to 2/ 1. On Monday, we revealed how Mr
Bakhurst told us: “Joe Duffy has made it clear he is not looking for a new contract when he finishes this contract.”
But on Liveline the next day, the host responded: “There’s a story in about five papers saying I ’m going to be shown the door in June 12 months.
“But that’s the first I ’ve heard about it. And RTE say he doesn’t want a new contract, that’s the first I heard about that as well.”
Another caller later told Duffy she hoped he was “going bloody nowhere”, to which he responded: “So do I. I’ve never heard of anyone talking about their contract a year and a half before it’s up, or making a
CHIEF RTE’S Kevin Bakhurst decision.” But bookies are not so certain. Lawrence Lyons of Boylesports said: “Joe Duffy may be rowing back on speculation he’s eyeing an exit, but with cuts on the horizon for the top earners, punters clearly think there’s going to be no lifeline for the Liveline host.”
Online betting firm Gambling. com has odds of him following Pat Kenny t o Newstal k’s Marconi House offices at 7/ 5.
Today FM is also deemed a relatively attractive suitor at
5/ 2.