Retired RTE star Bryan Dobson has opened up about his reaction when he heard Ryan Tubridy was leaving the station. The Dubliner retired from RTE after 37 years earlier this month.

The former News At One host has spent the past 10 months navigating his way through reporting on the RTE payments scandal without offering an opinion to the fiasco. But now Dobbo admitted he was “delighted” when he heard Tubs had landed a radio show with Virgin Radio in London.

He told us: “I don’t like to because I don’t like to talk about individuals. That is really what I am uncomfortable with. I would say this about Ryan – I wish him well and I was delighted when I saw that he was getting back on the air again because I think that is what he does magnificently and fantastically, and I think he needed to get back on the air behind a microphone as quickly as possible. I wish him nothing but well in his career in the UK. He’s taking it on with great enthusiasm and energy.”

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Last week, Mr Dobson called on former RTE director general Dee Forbes to speak out on the broadcaster's infamous payments scandal “if she feels up to it”.

He said: “There was lots of stuff that was just jaw-dropping. A lot of people who work every day here, and do the best job they can, felt very let down by some of what we heard.

“I’m actually very hopeful for the future of RTE. It’s certainly been a very difficult period. But I think maybe you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I hope I’m right on that.

“I think it’s important at some point that a line is drawn to this. I would never have thought a year ago that we’d still be discussing it in the spring and summer of 2024.”

Speaking about the station’s new director general, Kevin Bakhurst, he said: “I thank the man above he’s in the position he’s in. He’s very direct. He’s methodical… he’s definitely one of the reasons why I would be hopeful [for the future].”

When asked to share his thoughts on the previous DG, Dee Forbes, the former presenter said he is “very hesitant” to pass judgment.

“Because she [Forbes] was facing, as anybody in that role does, all sorts of challenges, all sorts of difficult decisions. I think, if her health allowed, it would be helpful to under-stand more about what happened if she could come forward and speak in some way to give evidence. Let’s hear her side of the story — if she feels up to it.”

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