Radio host swaps Ireland for UK and new show

Ryan Tubridy launches ‘passion project’ book podcast

Irish broadcaster Ryan Tubridy has said his new podcast about books is a “passion project”. Tubridy, who is taking days off from his Virgin Radio UK show, left Irish national broadcaster RTE last year after weeks of controversy relating to the organisation publicly underreporting payments to him.

The 50-year-old was once the Irish station’ s highest earner as the face of its flagship Late Late Show.

Tubridy launched his midmorning show on the UK network Virgin Radio in January and later characterised the RTE controversy as “arguably the best thing that ever happened” to him.

In April he revealed details of his new project: “You’ve guessed it, I’ve got a podcast. And you’ve guessed it, it’s about books.

“It’s called The Bookshelf With Ryan Tubridy

– it had to, it’s obvious.”

The weekly podcast kicked off with big names (right) comic actor TV personality David Walliams–also a successful children’s author – as well as multi-award winning author Cecelia Ahern (right), and writer of ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’, John Boyne.

Tub ri dy explained the concept for the podcast in an Instagram post: “The guest comes along with three books from their very own bookshelf: The book from their childhood, the book that made them cry, and the book that changed their life.

“And over the course of a conversation, we have a chat about the people and their lives through the prism of these three beautiful, important books .”

Tubridy also said: “This has been a passion project of mine for a couple of years now but I could never quite find enough time to put it all together.

“Harold Macmillan used to talk about ‘events, dear boy, events’. Those times in life when the least expected things happen. Such events happened to me last summer. Despite it being an exceptionally difficult time, it made me reassess and explore new opportunities to realise some dreams I’ve lo ng held in my heart.

“One was to work on the radio in the UK which I am currently doing and loving. The other was to bring The Bookshelf with Ryan Tubridy to fruition which is where we are today. I always say, you’ll never be lonely or bored with a book in your hand.

“They bring company, enlightenment and enrichment whether you’re reading a comic, a cereal box or a crime novel. The world of reading is rarely dull and lends itself to the most intriguing conversations, o f which I’ve had many putting season one together. The first of these conversations drops onTuesday. I can’t wait to share it with you.”

■ The Bookshelf With Ryan Tubridy can be heard on all podcast platforms as well as in a video edition on Youtube.