Dunphy to present weekly radio slot on RTÉ 1

Broadcaster Eamon Dunphy is to join RTÉ to present a weekly radio show on RTÉ 1.

Dunphy announced last month he was leaving Dublin radio station NewsTalk 106 after two years presenting its flagship breakfast programme.

He declined to take an optional one-year renewal of his contract in Newstalk because of increased commitments with RTÉ sports and a desire to write books.

"I've a lot of work; if you're working for six days a week, you don't do anything else," he said. "The job's done. It's time to move on."

In a statement today, RTÉ Radio 1 said that Dunphy would join the station this autumn. "Eamon will present a new programme once-a-week as part of the new RTÉ Radio 1 autumn schedule," the statement said.

Head of RTÉ Radio 1 Ana Leddy, said she was "delighted" with Dunphy's decision. "His unique style will bring a new element to our schedule and to RTÉ Radio 1's overall exciting line-up for the autumn," she added.

A spokeswoman for the station said the format of the new programme and the day of the week had yet to be worked out. "We will be working around Eamonn. All we have at the moment is an agreement in principle," she added.

She said further detail of the programme would be announced "in due course" and that it is hoped the programme will begin as close to the start of the autumn schedule as possible.