Shock as Ryan Tubridy signs off from Virgin Radio with major new broadcasting role revealed

Irish broadcaster Ryan Tubridy has officially signed off from his Virgin Radio UK and Dublin’s Q102 shows, bringing his two-year mid-morning run to an end as he prepares for a major new chapter in his career.

The former RTÉ star hosted his final show earlier today, Friday, December 19, before confirming he is set to embark on what has been described as “a raft of new opportunities” across the News Broadcasting group in 2026.

In a statement released today, it was confirmed: “After two successful years as weekday mid-morning host at music stations Virgin Radio UK and Dublin’s Q102, 2026 will see Ryan Tubridy embark on a raft of new opportunities across News Broadcasting – including new standalone YouTube projects alongside working with Times Radio, talkSPORT and Onic.”

Central to the new partnership is The Late Show with Ryan Tubridy, a standalone YouTube series that will see the broadcaster return to his speech-radio roots.

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“Returning to his speech radio roots, the first fruits of the partnership will be The Late Show with Ryan Tubridy, a new standalone YouTube channel looking back on the lives of the biggest stars in film, music, sport and television,” the statement said, adding that Ryan will “chat with the journalists, authors and experts who knew them best.”

To maximise its reach, the show will also air on Times Radio, where Ryan will make further contributions in the coming months.

Ryan is also developing a new programme for talkSPORT, with the network set for a huge 2026 thanks to its exclusive audio rights to the FIFA World Cup.

Closer to home, the broadcaster will host a new weekend show across the Onic network in Ireland, covering Dublin’s Q102, Cork’s 96FM, Limerick’s Live 95 and LMFM.

Onic Managing Director Sean Barry said: “I am delighted to confirm the continuation of our relationship with Ryan, one of Ireland’s finest broadcasters. This new show will lean into Ryan’s strengths with a speech-led offering, complemented with a perfect Sunday morning music accompaniment.”

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Derek Brown, Director of Digital for News Broadcasting, said Ryan was “the perfect host” for the new YouTube project, adding: “Our archive at News UK is a treasure trove of history on those names and this gives us a great opportunity to present it to a new audience.”

Ryan himself said: “I am extremely excited about today’s news and the opportunity to work again in the world of speech radio, with YouTube channels and with the Onic network in Ireland.

“It is with great gratitude that I finish my two years at Virgin Radio UK, where I had the time of my life with the greatest bunch of people. They made me feel welcome and valued which I will never forget, but I can’t wait to get started on these shows. Here’s to 2026!”