Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Cryin’ Tubridy17
Late Late Show host Ryan gets emotional as he bids farewell...
BY SHANE POWER EMOTIONS got the better of Ryan Tubridy as he signed off after 14 years hosting The Late Late Show on Friday night.
The 49-year-old welled up more than once during the live broadcast – and by the end he couldn’t keep the tears in any longer.
Brimming with emotion he dedicated the show to his family and in particular his two daughters.
Addressing the audience for the final time, he said: “To Ella and Julia, you know this, I love you so much they haven’t created a word for it yet.
“They are the ones I dedicate this show to, they’re my constant and I love them so much.
“I feel very happy, I’ve made a really important decision in my life but it’s absolutely the next one.
“I love what I did, and I can’t wait for what I’m about to do.”
Tubridy is now set to launch his own podcast and is also tipped to front a documentary series on US politics.
He told the Irish Sun: “I would definitely be looking at the world of podcasts, and docs and history and books for sure.”
The RTE farewell special featured contributions from Tubs’ idol Paul McCartney, Russell
Crowe, Saoirse Ronan,
Jedward, a host of musicians, and stars of the Toy Show.
He was presented with a Vespa from U2 and Toy Show hero
Adam King led the gathering in presenting him with a virtual hug from “everybody in the audience”.
Viewers hailed Charlie Bird as a “hero” after he made an emotional appearance on Friday night’s memorable show.
The former RTE news correspondent, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2021, recalled how The Late Late Show helped him kickstart his fundraising endeavours.
He said: “Ryan, all of the madness of Climb With Charlie started here on The Late Late Show when you asked me what was on my bucket list.”
Charlie shared a warm hug with Tubs after giving an update on his health, admitting: “Physically I am not doing great.
“My motor neurone is spreading all over my bones. I can no longer dress myself without help from Claire.”
Ryan paid tribute to the late cervical cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan as he spoke with her sister on the show.
He said: “Certainly one of the most prominent interviews I have ever done was with Vicky Phelan who was just an extraordinary human being.” Vicky’s sister Lyndsey, who was in the audience, added: “We’re doing OK. We’re doing the best that we can at the moment... we’re very lucky we’re a very close family and we’ve lots of support around us.”
Speaking about Vicky’s children Amelia and Darragh she added: “Yeah they’re doing OK, they’re very strong like their mother, they’re tough.”
To Ella and Julia, I love you so much they haven’t created a word for it yet