The Rose of Tralee is reportedly set for a presenter shake-up this year as RTÉ aims to modernise the annual event.
Daithi O'Se as fronted the show since 2010 and is renowned for hit wit and charm, so will once again return to front the highly-rated show. But this time around he will be joined live by a female co-host. In the first major change to the hosting line-up in 13 years, RTE bosses will add either Operation Transformation host Kathryn Thomas, 2fm Breakfast's Doireann Garrihy or station newcomer Anna Daly into the mix this August.
A source told RSVP Live: "This year will be very different on The Rose of Tralee. Daithi will be back as normal because it wouldn't be the same without him but he will be getting a co-host.
"RTÉ wants to inject new life and blood into the long-running festival and adding some female energy to it seems to be what will work.
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"There have been big changes since Alan Tyler, Head of Entertainment Commissioning, joined RTE.
"The Dancing with the Stars and Ireland's Fittest Family teams were changed up this year. Patrick Kielty took over from Ryan Tubridy on The Late Late Show.
"Doireann Garrihy joined Jennifer Zamparelli on DWTS and impressed so it is no surprise she is in the mix, Kathryn Thomas is an audience favourite and Anna Daly has been getting steady work with RTE since leaving Virgin Media's Ireland AM."
When asked about the changes to The Rose of Tralee, RTE had no comment to make.
The station will launch their coverage of the festival in the coming weeks.
In the March 2023 issue of RSVP Magazine, The Today Show's Sinead Kennedy was asked if she would be interested in co-hosting with Daithi if the organisers wanted to give it a modern twist by introducing a woman co-host.
She said: "Sure, why not? But, firstly, I have to say it is very much Daithi's gig and he is the person to present the Rose Of Tralee, it is the perfect show for him.
"But as you say, if they wanted to jazz it up by adding in a female presenter, absolutely, I would be up for it. I love the show and I watch it every year.
"The ratings are massive, people love it. It’s one of those nostalgic programmes like Winning Streak, The Late Late Show and Nationwide. It’s been on for so long people can’t remember a time before it. So it would be a lovely thing to work on."
Daithi then responded to Sinead's comment in the April issue.
He said: I’ll be doing myself out of a job [laughs]. I’m quite happy to keep going as it is.
"The shows are different every year because the roses are different. There’s always a different madness and that’s how the show stays fresh."
Kevin Hilton was the first presenter of The Rose of Tralee before it was televised. Gay Byrne was at the helm 17 years and his wife Kathleen Watkins was the first and only female presenter over the years.
Other previous frontmen include Terry Wogan, Brendan O'Reilly, Michael Twomey, Ray D'Arcy, Ryan Tubridy, Marty Whelan and Derek Davis.
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