THE SEVEN CONTENDERS FOR THE SIX ONE TOP JOB

RAY KENNEDY 1/4

Kennedy, below, is the favourite but his role as a stand-in presenter on Six One may work against him. ‘If RTÉ wants to make a statement about taking Six One in a different direction, they won’t opt for someone who already works on [it],’ said a source.

CLAIRE BYRNE 8/1

giving up her own show. Insiders say she is unlikely to agree even if she were offered the post.

BRIAN FINN 9/1

Finn is a business journalist and presenter with RTÉ News. Low key, his relatively short odds have surprised many. ‘Brian is a capable presenter but I wouldn’t have though he’d be in the front line for [the job],’ said a colleague.

DAVID MCCULLAGH 12/1

McCullagh, inset top, was RTÉ News’ political correspondent before becoming co-presenter on Prime Time four years ago. He is seen by many in Montrose as Dobson’s natural successor.

AENGUS MAC GRIANNA 14/1

Already a stand-in on Six One, he is famous for being caught on camera applying make-up, not realising he was on air. The way in which he laughed at his own expense endeared him to the public. But he remains an outsider for the job.

COLETTE FITZPATRICK 18/1

Fitzpatrick, a TV3 news anchor, has been mentioned in connection with the RTÉ job, but insiders say her appointment is unlikely.

KEELIN SHANLEY 25/1

A former Prime Time presenter, Shanley, left, has a formidable journalistic reputation. Colleagues are also backing her for the job.