Anton Savage takes Ray D’Arcy’s Today FM morning slot

Anton Savage has been chosen to replace Ray D'Arcy in Today FM's mid-morning radio slot.

This follows Ray D’Arcy’s departure to RTÉ1 to take over the mid-afternoon slot from Derek Mooney.

Getting a strong presenter to inherit Ian Dempsey’s loyal audience at 9am each weekday morning was seen as crucial for Today FM.

“We’ve had great interest in this role and have spent the last couple of weeks assessing a shortlist of candidates.

“Anton has proven himself to be a highly versatile broadcaster and, most importantly, a firm favourite with our listeners,” Peter McPartlin, Today FM’s chief executive said.

Keen to clarify that he is no Johnny-come-lately to the station, Savage said his first job was as a researcher with Today FM when the station launched.

“I was sitting in the control room, way back when the station first went on air. I’ve had a great affection for this station ever since. It’s rare to find somewhere as creative and professional on air, that’s also so supportive, welcoming and fun off-air.”

As for the listeners, Savage is equally keen on them.

“Today FM has an extremely loyal listenership, so it’s a great honour to be given the task of picking up the huge audience Ian hands over at nine.”

“I think I’ve a sense of what the listeners want. It’s the start of something new and the team and I have big plans for this show.”

Savage is part of a communications family. His parents are Tom Savage and Terry Prone, who spent a quarter of a century at the helm of Carr Communications.

He has presented The Ray D’Arcy Show, The Last Word and The Tubridy Show, as well as hosting The Sunday Business Show and The Apprentice, you’re fired! on TV3.

Since 2011, he has hosted Savage Sunday from 11-1pm on Sundays, taking that slot to its highest ever ratings with 110,000 listeners.

His appointment means he is taking on John Murray, Ryan Tubridy, Pat Kenny, Seán O'Rourke in competing for listeners.

A spokeswoman for Today FM said the show has “no start date yet, but should be on air within the next couple of weeks”. She also confirmed that it will be called The Anton Savage Show.