Ryan Tubridy serves up The Full Irish to 2FM listeners every morning but yesterday the talented young broadcaster's plate got a little bit fuller when RTÉ announced he is to host this year's Rose of Tralee festival in August.
The Dubliner said he was relishing the prospect of taking centre stage at the nation's most watched event. "I'm pretty stunned to be asked, to tell you the truth," he added.
"It's quite a surprise, but a wonderful one. When I think of the quality of my predecessors - Marty, Derek and Gay - I've probably one of the biggest acts in RTÉ history to follow."
Mr Cathal Goan, managing director of RTÉ, described Tubridy as "a young, bright, and talented broadcaster".
"We believe that he, along with the new production team, will deliver a wonderfully entertaining show that combines the best traditional elements with some fresh surprises."
RTÉ's decision to give the job to Tubridy will come as little surprise to media watchers. He has steadily progressed through the ranks of the national broadcaster since hitting the airwaves at the age of 12 as a reviewer on the now defunct Poparama children's radio show.
While no stranger to the television cameras, he has mostly plied his trade on the national airwaves. Before assuming the hot set on the manic Full Irish morning slot he spent two years presenting The Sunday Show on RTÉ Radio 1.
He has also worked as a reporter on Today with Pat Kenny and Five Seven Live, and presented Morning Glory.
The Rose of Tralee will be broadcast live on RTÉ One over two nights, August 25th and 26th.
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