Claire now 8/1 for all-female Six One
Ray Kennedy is new favourite to succeed Dobbo, but Byrne’s odds are shortening
FORMER Sky News presenter Ray Kennedy has become the bookies’ favourite to take over from Bryan Dobson as anchor on RTÉ’s Six One news.
This week, Paddy Power were giving odds of 1/4 on Kennedy to clinch the coveted position. However, RTÉ insiders are backing Prime Time’s David McCullagh, and news presenter Keelin Shanley as the lead runners in the race for the coveted position.
The surprise stalking horse, however, is Claire Byrne. Despite not initially making the bookies’ list, she was bumped up to 8/1 this weekend. RTÉ insiders are now suggesting that she may be part of a revamped all-female line-up on the bulletin.
New head of news, Jon Williams, is understood to be keen to shake up the current Six One format.
‘I think everyone agrees the programme needs a revamp,’ a senior news producer told the Mail.
‘Look across the water at Sky. See how they’ve moved on. We need our own Kay Burley now.’
Another outsider for the gig would be TV3’s main evening news anchor, Collette Fitzpatrick, who also presents that station’s Midday show. However, other internal Montrose candidates would be much more likely to be preferred for such a plum role.
The bookmakers are also giving relatively short odds on RTÉ business journalist Brian Finn to take the job at 9/1.
Aengus Mac Grianna is also mentioned in the betting at 14/1 but, according to national broadcaster insiders, looks very much an outsider for the role.
Ex-Fine Gael TD George Lee and presenter-turned-jeweller Gráinne Seoige are 50/1, while Miriam O’Callaghan is at 150/1.
Officially, RTÉ say that Dobson is not leaving his post as co-anchor of the show with Sharon Ní Bheoláin. They say Dobson is on annual leave, out of the country and will return to the programme in September. However, it has been an open secret on the Donnybrook campus that Dobson will soon be moving on. Rumours that he will replace Cathal Mac Coille on Morning Ireland are now said to be wide of the mark.
‘It’s known that Bryan has been keen to move on for some time, but the chances of him turning up on Morning Ireland are slim to none,’ said a colleague this weekend.
While speculation is rife about Dobson’s next destination, Ray
‘We need our own Kay Burley now’ ‘It’s known that Bryan wants to move on’
Kennedy is nipping at his heels with the bookies and punters for Six One. A spokesperson for Paddy Power confirmed that Kennedy has been attracting most of the bets.
‘All the money was for Ray Kennedy, who was backed from an initial price of 9/4 to 1/4.’
Before joining Sky News Ireland, Kennedy worked as a reporter and news anchor for RTÉ and TV3.
Dobson’s decision to depart the show was apparently made before Ní Bheoláin publicly criticised the pay gap between them. Mr Dobson earns between €60,000 to €80,000 more than his female co-anchor.