Is McCullagh off to Six One? What would Sharon think?
IT’S been the juiciest watercooler topic of the summer and now the latest gossip in the RTÉ gender pay gap saga is that Prime Time’s David McCullagh is being parachuted in to the Six One News.
The revelation that Sharon Ní Bheoláin earns up to €80,000 less than her co-presenter Bryan Dobson got everyone in Montrose hot under the collar. And, as we revealed last Sunday, RTÉ has given Dobbo the summer off to decide whether he will replace Cathal Mac Coille on Morning Ireland.
Of course, if Dobbo – who has hosted RTÉ’S flagship television news since 1996 – moves to radio, that leaves a gaping hole in the seat beside Ms Ní Bheoláin on Six One.
Now it has emerged that McCullagh has been approached to take over from ‘Dobbo’ should he swap evening TV for the most popular programme on Irish radio – Morning Ireland attracts 448,000 listeners.
A Montrose insider told the Irish Mail on Sunday: ‘It is not 100% decided that Bryan will take up the job on Morning Ireland, but it is very likely. And David has been approached and asked would he take the empty chair on the Six One News.
‘They have reached a provisional agreement.’
A new presenter is not the only change afoot for Six One. Executives are also considering giving the set a makeover. A source said: ‘It would just make sense to give the show a fresh new look if a new presenter comes in.’
Mr McCullagh started out as a print journalist in the Irish Press group in 1989 and moved to RTÉ in 1993, where he worked on Radio One’s The News At One and This Week, and on TV news.
He was RTÉ News’ political correspondent for 12 years before joining Prime Time. It is unclear whether he will be made chief news anchor or whether Ms Ní Bheoláin will be given that title.
The source said of McCullagh: ‘He has paid his dues on Prime Time and this is a big move for him. He would slot in beside Sharon and allow for a seamless transition.’
An RTÉ spokesman denied yesterday McCullagh would replace Dobson. He insisted: ‘Bryan Dobson will be back on Six One in September and David McCullagh will be back on Prime Time in September.’