Ryan Tubridy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ryan Tubridy
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Tubridy in 2018
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| Born | 28 May 1973 Booterstown, Dublin, Ireland
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| Nationality | Irish |
| Education | Carysfort National School Blackrock College |
| Alma mater | University College Dublin (BA) |
| Occupation | Broadcaster, writer |
| Employer | Virgin Radio UK |
| Agent | Noel Kelly |
| Known for | The Tubridy Show and The Ryan Tubridy Show on RTÉ Radio 1 The Full Irish and Tubridy on RTÉ 2fm All Kinds of Everything, Tubridy Tonight and The Late Late Show on RTÉ One |
| Spouse(s) | Separated |
| Partner(s) | Clare Kambamettu (engaged) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives |
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Ryan Tubridy (born 28 May 1973) is a well-known Irish broadcaster. He currently hosts a weekday morning show called The Ryan Tubridy Show on Virgin Radio UK. He also has a weekend show on Sundays.
Ryan worked for RTÉ, Ireland's national broadcaster, for over twenty years. During this time, he presented many popular radio and TV shows. His most famous role was hosting The Late Late Show on RTÉ One from 2009 to 2023. He also hosted the Rose of Tralee festival twice and worked for BBC Radio in the UK.
Tubridy has written several books, including JFK in Ireland, The Irish Are Coming, and Patrick and the President. He was known as one of the highest-paid people at RTÉ for many years. However, in 2023, a controversy arose about how his earnings were reported. This led to RTÉ ending his contract in August 2023.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Growing Up in Dublin
Ryan Tubridy was born in Booterstown, Dublin, in 1973. He went to Carysfort National School and then Blackrock College. He studied subjects like Greek and Latin. Some of his schoolmates included other well-known Irish personalities like Craig Doyle.
He later attended University College Dublin (UCD). There, he earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in history and ancient Greek and Roman civilisation. While at UCD, Ryan was involved in social activities and was a member of the Fianna Fáil Kevin Barry Cumann student group.
His Family Background
Ryan Tubridy is one of five children. He has siblings named Judith, Niall, Rachel, and Garrett. He also has two half-sisters from his father's second marriage. His father, Patrick Tubridy, was a psychiatrist. Ryan's paternal grandfather, Seán Tubridy, was a politician.
His mother, Catherine, is the daughter of Todd Andrews. Todd Andrews was an important person who worked closely with Éamon de Valera, a founder of the Fianna Fáil political party. Ryan has several relatives who have also been involved in politics, including his uncles Niall Andrews and David Andrews. His cousins, Barry Andrews and Chris Andrews, have also been politicians.
Ryan's Broadcasting Journey
Even as a child, Ryan was interested in television. At age 12, he wrote to RTÉ to suggest they show more TV films for kids his age. RTÉ invited him to review films on a Saturday morning show called Anything Goes. This was the start of his long career with the broadcaster.
On the Radio
After college, Ryan started working at RTÉ as a "runner." This meant he did tasks like making tea and coffee for shows, including The Gerry Ryan Show. He looked up to Gerry Ryan, who helped him early in his career.
Ryan later became a reporter for Today with Pat Kenny. He also sometimes presented the radio news show Five Seven Live. In 1999, he hosted Morning Glory on RTÉ Radio 1. From 2002 to 2005, he presented The Full Irish on RTÉ 2fm. This show became very popular, and Ryan won an award for it.
In 2006, Ryan moved to RTÉ Radio 1 to host The Tubridy Show on weekday mornings. After his friend and colleague Gerry Ryan passed away, Ryan took over Gerry's slot on RTÉ 2fm in August 2010. His new show was called Tubridy.
In September 2015, Ryan returned to RTÉ Radio 1 to host The Ryan Tubridy Show. However, in August 2023, it was confirmed that Ryan would not return to RTÉ. He had been off-air since issues about his earnings became public.
On Television
Ryan Tubridy was considered a possible future host of The Late Late Show as early as 2003. At that time, he was about to take over as host of the Rose of Tralee festival.
His first main TV show was All Kinds of Everything, a music nostalgia program. Before this show even aired, he was offered the job of presenting the Rose of Tralee, which he accepted. He also presented the EsatBT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition in 2003 and 2004.
In October 2004, Tubridy Tonight began. This was his own live Saturday night talk show. On 11 May 2009, it was announced that Ryan would take over from Pat Kenny as the host of The Late Late Show. He said it was a "humbling honour" to be asked to present such an important program. Tubridy Tonight ended on 30 May 2009.
Ryan's first guest on The Late Late Show was then Taoiseach Brian Cowen. On 16 March 2023, Ryan announced he would be leaving The Late Late Show after 14 years. His last show was on 26 May 2023. Patrick Kielty was announced as his replacement.
Hosting The Toy Show
Ryan Tubridy often spoke about how much he enjoyed hosting The Late Late Toy Show. He presented this special Christmas program for fourteen years, from 2009 to 2022. He said that children would often recognize him as "the Toy Man" throughout the year.
In November 2022, before his last Toy Show, Ryan visited a school. He saw how excited the children were, and he was reminded of the magic of the "Toy Man" effect. Children would often ask him questions like his age, why he visited their school, and if he liked Fanta. This last question came from a moment in the 2020 Toy Show where there was some uncertainty about a word he used.
Working for Virgin Radio UK
On 16 November 2023, it was announced that Ryan Tubridy would join Virgin Radio UK. He started in January 2024, presenting his mid-morning show live from London. This show, The Ryan Tubridy Show, airs weekdays and is also broadcast on Dublin's Q102. He also hosts a special Irish weekend program on Sundays, which is broadcast on several Irish radio stations.
Other Activities
Ryan Tubridy has been involved in many other activities beyond broadcasting.
Supporting Children and Charities
Ryan is a UNICEF ambassador, which means he supports their work for children. He is especially interested in helping children learn to read.
He has also supported the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Toy Appeal, which collects toys for children in need. After hosting The Late Late Toy Show, Ryan often auctioned off his famous jumpers for charity. For example, the jumper from his 2009 Toy Show debut raised €1,050 for the 2010 Haiti earthquake relief efforts.
Ryan has also helped promote health initiatives, such as a breast cancer awareness campaign. In 2015, he launched a support center in Galway called Hand in Hand. This center helps parents of children who have cancer.
Writing Books
Ryan Tubridy has written several books. His first book, JFK in Ireland, was launched in 2010. It tells the story of U.S. President John F. Kennedy's visit to Ireland in 1963. While researching the book, Ryan found interesting historical details.
His second book, The Irish Are Coming, was published in 2013. It is about the influence of Irish people in the UK. Ryan also wrote a children's book called Patrick and the President. In 2017, he read from this book to children at a tea party in County Wexford.
Personal Life
Ryan Tubridy lived in Monkstown, Dublin, for many years. He has said that he admires British broadcaster Sir David Attenborough. Some of his favorite films include The Queen and Frost/Nixon. He enjoys reading history books and is a fan of the TV series Inspector Morse.
His Family
Ryan Tubridy met his former wife, Anne Marie Power, at RTÉ in 1997. They married in 2003 and have two daughters, Ella and Julia. They separated in 2006.
In June 2025, Ryan announced his engagement to Dr. Clare Kambamettu, a clinical psychologist and former Rose of Tralee winner. They made their relationship public in 2023.
Health Update
In March 2020, RTÉ announced that Ryan Tubridy had tested positive for COVID-19. He said he had a mild experience and was grateful for the work of frontline heroes. He returned to his radio show in April 2020, feeling much better after resting.
Awards and Recognition
Ryan Tubridy has received several awards for his broadcasting work. In 2004, he won the Best Irish DJ award at the Meteor Awards for his show The Full Irish. He was named Best Male TV Presenter at the TV Now Awards in 2009.
In 2009, The Dubliner magazine named him Dubliner of the Year. In March 2023, Ryan received the Guaranteed Irish Person of the Year Award for his support of Irish businesses and brands. In May 2023, the Library Association of Ireland gave him the President's Medal for promoting reading and libraries.
Images for kids
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Ryan Tubridy in 2018
