‘We do things our way, we’re not trying to live up to Brian or Sharon’
KEELIN Shanley and Caitríona Perry have told how they did not feel any pressure to live up to Brian Dobson or Sharon Ní Bheoláin when they joined the ‘Six One’ news.
Shanley (49) and Perry (38) replaced Dobson and Ní Bheoláin earlier this year when both departed the show to join ‘Morning Ireland’ and the ‘Nine O’Clock News’, respectively.
“I don’t think we viewed it like that. Everyone is different and we are both in the business a very long time. We do things our way,” said Perry.
“Sharon and Brian were both amazing and they did things their way.
“They have both been really supportive and given us lots of tips.”
Shanley added that they had both settled into their new roles well over the last few months and credited the behind-the-scenes crew for the smooth transition.
“It’s been great, we have really enjoyed it so far. The best days are the busy news days when you walk in and think you’re doing X, Y and Z and then something changes and the whole programme snaps into being,” she said.
“We’re very lucky, we slid into a very well-oiled machine. You’re getting your head around new things all the time but we have a lot of support.”
Much was made of the fact that Shanley and Perry represent the first time the ‘Six One’ has been fronted by two women.
But the broadcasters insisted they think the most important thing for an individual in any role is whether or not they are suited for it.
“There was a lot of commentary from people saying they were delighted to see two women front and centre and that RTÉ took, what some would consider, to be a brave step,” Perry told the Irish Independent.
“Traditionally, it’s been a man and a woman but the world has moved on and those sorts of things aren’t relevant any more and it’s just, ‘are you the best
person for the job or not?’”
Shanley told how she had received messages of support since joining the programme.
“My daughter plays GAA and some of the GAA fathers were delighted with it. Telling younger girls it doesn’t always have to be a man. That’s been nice,” she said.
It recently emerged that the flagship news show has seen a 6pc drop in ratings this month, which amounts to nearly 40,000 viewers switching off.
However, the hosts insisted that a dip in viewership was inevitable because ratings will fluctuate over the year for the daily show.
“Ratings go up and down. News is way up in the winter time and then when the hour goes back it goes down. That’s what it is with news,” said Shanley.
Perry added: “When (Storm Emma) happened, we had almost one million people tuning in.”
Prior to taking up their roles on the ‘Six One’, Shanley presented on ‘Morning Edition’ and ‘Prime Time’, while Perry served as RTÉ’s Washington correspondent, covering the first year of the Trump administration.