Ryan Tubridy is on the verge of a move to the BBC - but he is not leaving either the Late Late Show nor his daily 2FM radio show.
Tubridy is being lined up to temporarily replace Graham Norton as host of his Saturday morning BBC Radio 2 show. Norton took over the time slot show last year after Jonathan Ross left the BBC.
Tubridy (37) had been approached about presenting the show last summer but declined due to professional and personal reasons.
It is understood a deal has not been completed but is likely to be confirmed soon and that Tubridy will take over the slot from late July. He will continue to present his radio show for most of that time, although will break into his annual leave from RTÉ to continue working with the BBC.
Although he was unavailable for comment today, Tubridy this morning told his radio listeners that "it's talk" but that it was "real talk". He added: "I'm here, and I love it, and I'm really happy and I won't be going anywhere today or tomorrow."
An RTÉ statement said only that "Ryan is looking forward to another season of The Late Late Show for 2011/2012 and continuing with his popular 2FM radio show as well."
Tubridy has never hidden his interest in looking to work in the United Kingdom or the United States, given the right opportunity, but sources say although this is a step into UK broadcasting, he will be returning to the Late Late Show in September and has no plans to leave his radio show.
