Gaybo returns to radio
Gay Byrne is returning to the airwaves with a new Sunday afternoon show on Lyric FM, RTÉ revealed today.
The legendary broadcaster will present a new programme called Sunday Best.
“I’m delighted to be returning to my radio roots, playing great music with a little bit of chat in between,” he said.
When last on RTE Radio 1 – on December 24, 1998 – Mr Byrne had an average audience of over 300,000 listeners.
His morning show had previously attracted up to half a million radio fans each day.
Within nine months he also stepped down from hosting the Late Late Show. He had been at the helm of the longest-ever running television programme from 1962.
When asked then if he would miss his radio career, Mr Byrne said the door was still open for him to return to RTÉ if he wished to do so.
In March the RTÉ veteran was also unveiled as chairperson of the new Road Safety Authority (RSA) to spearhead the Government’s drive to cut the number of people killed on the nation’s roads.
His new show, which starts on November 5, will feature the best of the big bands, classic crooners, a look at what’s new in the world of light jazz, plus the very best in classical music from 3pm to 5pm.
John Kelly will also join the station’s existing line up for its new autumn schedule which was launched today.
From Monday, October 2 John will present a new afternoon show, The JK Ensemble, every weekday from 2.30pm to 4.30pm, where listeners will hear the very best in classical, jazz, world, roots, traditional and contemporary music.
Aodan O Dubhghaill, head of RTÉ Lyric FM, said: “There have been countless magical moments on RTÉ Lyric FM and our autumn schedule is designed to bring an even wider range of experiences to the listener.”
