It’s Dowling vs Ryder in fight to host Ireland AM
BIG BROTHER star Brian Dowling and broadcaster Paul Ryder are engaged in a live TV battle to be a new presenter on Ireland AM. Virgin Media is keen to spice up its flagship weekend show with a new host that it hopes will provide some ‘sparkle and sizzle’ to boost the popular duo of Elaine Crowley and Simon Delaney.
A well-placed insider told the Irish Mail on Sunday, ‘Weekend AM are looking to add a third presenter to Elaine and Simon.
‘They are looking for “extra sparkle” to add to the huge popularity of Simon and Elaine, so they are trialling Brian Dowling and Paul Ryder’.
Indeed, a check back over the last month shows that both Dowling and Ryder have made guest host appearances.
The move to hire a new presenter comes six months after Virgin Media had a massive shake up that saw some long-serving staff leave and left many seething.
Popular presenter Laura Woods was made redundant according to her agent, while Aidan Power and Matt Cooper left their roles along with breakfast anchor Anna Daly who also departed the station for pastures new.
Crowley’s long-running afternoon show was also cancelled in August despite the programme’s impressively high ratings.
Popular Xposé host Glenda Gilsen, who was with Virgin Media for 14 years, also quit to pursue new ventures in TV.