RTE’s Claire Byrne Live came to a close tonight after seven years on air as the host bid farewell to her loyal viewers.
The RTE presenter confirmed her exit last Friday in an announcement that left many people shocked, with RTE bosses now reportedly searching for an "entirely different format," according to The Star.
After the news broke, one viewer wrote on Twitter: “Nooooo!! I love the Claire Byrne Live show @ClaireByrneLive. Why is it the things we love most take the final bow. Not fair..gonna have my "so not mature" hissy fit now.”
READ MORE: Inside Claire Byrne's career and family life as her RTE show comes to an end
Another said: “This is such a sad day for the people of Ireland. Thank you so much @ClaireByrneLive, @TodaywithClaire, and @rte for producing such a fantastic show to inform the people of Ireland. Claire Byrne live was everybody in Ireland's favourite show on a Monday night and will be missed.”
As the final show came to a close, Claire paid tribute to her RTE team, guests, and the loyal audience at home and abroad with a sweet message.
She said: "And that brings us to the end of the final Claire Byrne Live, we’ve had more than seven years here on Monday nights and it has been an honour to be with you through some really challenging times for our country.
“I want to say a special thanks to the small team who put this show together week after week in RTE, especially when the pandemic derailed us and meant we couldn’t have our studio audience.
“To the studio crew who were run ragged every week with our sometimes hare-brained studio ideas, but everyone came with us and made the show work, even when it seemed impossible.
She went on to thank all of the guests “who trusted this show over the years and who, in some cases, found a place to share deeply private and precious information with the nation in the hope of making change happen and, often change DID happen.
“We have always been grateful to the many people over the years who braved many a cold and wet Monday night to fill the audience seats in the studio - thank you for being there.
“And of course, to our loyal audience at home - we know you have lots to choose from now, we aren’t the only show in town, not by a long shot, but you have stayed with us and both myself and all the team are grateful to you for that.”
Concluding her farewell, she said: “So for now, it’s goodbye, and of course, I’ll be back in the morning on RTE Radio 1 at 10am. Good night and thanks for watching."
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