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Irish Mirror

Entertainment

Mikie O'Loughlin & Clare McCarthy

Ryan Tubridy turns 50: Facts you didn't know from famous family and guilty pleasure to secret hobby

Ryan Tubridy Gerry Ryan Ryan ONeal RTÉ Paul McCartney Tubs (Person) Radio 1

Ryan Tubridy turns the big five zero on Sunday and there is a lot he has accomplished in his 50 years in this world.

He landed the biggest broadcasting gig in the country when he was just 36 years old and there isn’t a household in Ireland that doesn’t know his name

Ahead of his milestone birthday, Ryan Tubridy has stepped down from The Late Late Show with his final show broadcasting this Friday, the day before his birthday.

Speaking to his RTÉ colleague, Claire Byrne, he said: "I could give you 50 reasons about why I’m leaving. You know when you know and I know in my heart it’s time."

Tubs is looking forward to the next chapter in his life, admitting to RSVP Magazine: “I feel very confident about the next bit. Since Christmas, in particular, I’ve been enjoying life and it’s going to get better and better.”

Ryan Tubridy on the set of the Late Late Show (Gareth Chaney / Collins Photo Agency)

We have compiled 50 facts about Ryan Tubridy and some things you may not know about him ahead of his big birthday and chat show exit this week.

Ryan has two grown-up daughters, Ella, who is 23, and Julia, aged 17.
He was born and raised in Dublin, and he still lives there.
He studied a Bachelor of Arts in history and Greek and Roman civilisation at University College Dublin.
He met his ex-wife Anne Marie Power in RTE 2Fm in 1997 and they were married from 2003 to 2006.
The RTÉ star is a big fan of fast food joints Eddie Rockets and Bunsen.
He was an extra in the movie Circle Of Friends , based on Maeve Binchy’s novel.
The presenter is one of five children – his siblings are Judith, Niall, Rachel and Garrett.
His uncle, Niall Andrews, was a TD and MEP and his other uncle David Andrews was an Irish Government minister. His great grandfather Seán Tubridy was also a TD in the 1930s.
Politics run in their family because two of his first cousins, Barry Andrews and Chris Andrews, have also sat in Dáil Éireann as Fianna Fáil TDs.
Medicine is also the family business – his father Patrick was a doctor and his brother Niall is a neurologist in St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin.
Ryan’s media career started when he began reviewing books for the RTÉ 2FM show Poporama, aged 12.
The budding broadcaster earned £25 per show at the time.
He worked on The Gerry Ryan Show as maker of tea and coffee.
After working as a reporter for Today With Pat Kenny, he landed Radio 1 shows Morning Glory and The Sunday Show .
He moved to 2FM to front a hugely popular show The Full Irish from 2002 to 2005 before returning to the station once again in 2010 following Gerry Ryan’s death.
He remained there until September 2015. He now hosts a one-hour morning show on Radio 1.
Away from RTÉ, Tubs has covered for Graham Norton’s BBC Radio 2 programme.
He presented the Rose Of Tralee for two years in 2003 and 2004.
He dated former Rose of Tralee Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin for five years before they split in 2014.
Ryan fronted his own Saturday night chat show Tubridy Tonight before becoming the host of The Late Late Show in 2009.
He debuted as the presenter of The Late Late Show in 2009, with 1.6 million people tuning in to see him interview Brian Cowan, Joan Collins and Brian McFadden
Ryan Tubridy missed two weeks of The Late Late Show in 2020 after testing positive for Covid-19. He was replaced by Miriam O’Callaghan.
The Beast from the East didn’t stop Ryan from hosting The Late Late Show in March 2018 and he went live with no audience members because of the nationwide snowfall.
Among his favourite films are The Queen, Frost/Nixon and It’s A Wonderful Life.
His favourite musician is Paul McCartney.
His favourite author is Roald Dahl.
Tubridy quit his Twitter account in 2011.
He remains on Instagram but he follows no accounts.
His favourite Christmas tradition is watching Muppets: A Christmas Carol with his daughters.
Tubs bumped into Meghan Markle in front of The White House during a trip to Washington.
There is a figure of Ryan in the Dublin Wax Museum.
He has had a calf named and auctioned in his honour.
His first book JFK In Ireland was launched in 2010.
Ryan also released a number of children’s books including Patrick And The President and The First Christmas Sweater .
One of his favourite dishes to eat is lamb stew in Mitchell’s in Clifden.
He loves jelly babies, NOT jelly beans.
His favourite hotel is the Abbeyglen in Connemara.
He loves a pint in O’Dowd’s pub in Roundstone.
When he visits Cork, the Hi-B Bar is his top choice.
Ryan earns €440,000 a year with RTÉ
Comedian David McSavage is his first cousin.
His Chinese takeaway order of choice is chicken balls and fried rice.
His secret hobby is baking – and he loves going to the cinema alone. The TV star likes his tea strong.
His favourite actor is James Stewart.
Ryan sang a duet with superstar Daniel O’Donnell on The Late Late Show’s country music special.
The Dubliner is a big fan of New York and he usually stays in Fitzpatrick’s Hotel.
Tubridy was named one of Ireland’s most inspiring people in 2021.
His highlights from The Late Late Show include interviews with Catherine Corless and Joanne O’Riordan.
From The Toy Show some of his favourite moments include when the soldier surprised his family by jumping out of the box in 2017 and when Ed Sheeran made an appearance.
His most difficult interviewee was Ryan O’Neal and the most awkward was Tara Palmer-Tomkinson. His dream interviewee would be The Beatles’ legend Paul McCartney.