Oliver Callan reached out to Ryan Tubridy with honest comment at height of RTE scandal

Oliver Callan has revealed that he reached out to Ryan Tubridy following the RTÉ payment scandal last summer, saying he "was very sorry for him."

He was confirmed as the new presenter of the Nine O’Clock Show, permanently replacing Ryan after sharing the role with other presenters since the summer.

Speaking on the Brendan O'Connor Show this Saturday morning, he said he felt sorry for his predecessor: "I think he experienced the biggest pile on that anyone has ever experienced in this country."

“I commiserate with him because he was great. Last June and July in particular with paparazzi outside his house, you don’t expect that in Ireland,” he continued.

"I thought his scandal, far from being the biggest scandal in Ireland over the summer, it wasn’t even the biggest scandal in RTÉ."

Oliver also revealed his pay for taking over Ryan Tubridy's former slot on RTÉ Radio One.

He'll be paid €150,000 a year for a two-year contract when he permanently takes over the role on January 29.

"I might as well get it out of the way because people will ask about money and so on and the circumstances," Oliver said.

"I asked can we discuss this and I was told no, we are in a new world now."

RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst had previously stated that the new host will take a pay cut from, following the scandal that rocked the state broadcaster over Tubridy's pay and other financial issues last summer.

In a statement, Oliver said he is "fierce excited to join RTÉ Radio 1 every morning for the hallowed hour of 9am - not least as it will finally stop every person I meet from asking about it."

"Mostly though, because 2024 is set to be the best possible year for being part of the national conversation, with seminal moments in elections, sport and culture coming," he continued.

Oliver shot to fame through his repertoire of voices, ranging from Joe Biden to Leo Varadkar, Boris Johnson, Donald Trump and an array of public figures. He is the creator of Callan’s Kicks, a hit radio satire with TV specials, comedy albums and live shows. He has also penned columns for publications including The Irish Sun, The Irish Times and The Currency. 

Peter Woods, Head of RTÉ Radio 1, said: "I'm delighted that Oliver Callan is joining RTÉ Radio 1 at nine o'clock."

"Oliver is an accomplished broadcaster, who already has a connection with the RTÉ Radio 1 audience. He is starting a new journey with us now and he will have the full support of the RTÉ Radio 1 team in a programme that will bear his inimitable stamp."