Maur Maur Maur!
Derrane’s ‘U-turn’ on radio slot after filling in on Tubridy show
MAURA Derrane has done an apparent U-turn, admitting she has NOT ruled herself out of the running as Ryan Tubridy’s replacement.
Earlier this week the TV star appeared to take her name out of the frame for the newly named Nine O’clock show on RTE Radio One.
But she later told us she wished she’d had more time on the morning show, which has been without a permanent host since Tubs, 50, was taken off air in June.
As her two-week radio debut drew to a close Maura, 53, told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “I’ve never said
I’d rule it out, I haven’t. But I was just so happy to get two weeks on radio, I’m thrilled. It was never meant to be anything more than that, but I’ve had a very good audience reaction.”
She added: “At the beginning I was just saying let me get through this day but now I’m so into it, it’s so fab.
“I feel this week I came into my own and I felt really comfortable on air.
“I wish I had another two weeks in one way, to really fine tune myself.”
Maura returns to co-host the Today Show with Daithi O Se after the summer recess, but she conceded the radio slot is very much her style of show.
She said: “I’m back on telly this week.
But I’m absolutely loving radio and I’m absolutely loving that show.
“It is just so me. I would love to do more radio, that’s what I’ll say after this.”
She continued: “You don’t go in and be brilliant in two seconds. I didn’t want to jinx anything, if anything else changes that’s a different conversation.
“I was going to a green field in my head. I’m thrilled I’ve done it and haven’t messed it up, it felt like I was doing the Leaving Cert.”
Oliver Callan will return to the mic to host the radio show from tomorrow morning – a slot he’s alternated with Brendan Courtney for the past three months.
The satirist has been installed by bookies as the 6/4 favourite to take over the role permanently, though RTE has not started negotiations according to reports. Former newscaster Maura said she was not afraid to tackle controversial subjects or have discussions around topics that provoke thought. She said: “I’m not afraid to talk about taboo subjects, I love having the liberty to have a 20-minute interview and to help people to help themselves and gain confidence. “I can ask all the questions I want and they get time to answer. I love interviewing people, I’m so nosey and inquisitive.”
I feel this week I came into my own and I felt comfortable on air