Dobson readies his final ‘Six One News’ before radio switch
RTÉ stalwart Bryan Dobson will read the headlines on the ‘Six One News’ for the final time tonight before he makes the leap to early morning radio.
But RTÉ has yet to decide who will replace the wellknown journalist (57), who has co-anchored its main news programme since 1996.
While he may have hit the headlines due to the €60,000€80,000 gulf in salary between him and fellow presenter Sharon Ni Bheoláin, there is clearly no divide between them offair. He has indicated that he and Sharon may head out for a meal together followed by “a few drinks” with some key colleagues.
An RTÉ source said: “Bryan was reluctant to make a big deal about him leaving because the way he sees it, he’s only moving across the room.
“He’s a very under-stated guy and doesn’t want a big fuss made. He would be happy enough with a low-key affair.”
A spokesperson said that a replacement for Dobson, aka Dobbo, will be announced “in the coming weeks”.
“It’s likely there will be a rotating schedule of news presenters filling his role for an interim period, similar to what happened on ‘Morning Ireland’ when Cathal Mac Coille finished at the end of July,” she added.
Among the names linked with the role are Ray Kennedy, David McCullough and Keelin Shanley.
Dobson will make his ‘Morning Ireland’ debut next Wednesday.
Speaking about the forthcoming radio job, he said he was looking forward to taking on a new challenge, despite admitting that he wasn’t a morning person.
“The great thing now is that I get a change of direction but it’s still in RTÉ so not as daunting,” he said. “It’s a challenge and I need it.”
Like all RTÉ employees aged over 55, he recently received an envelope detailing his entitlements for an early retirement package, but he said he “put it in the trash can”.