Ryan Tubridy: ‘It’s liberating to be free from a format, now I’m my own boss’
Ryan Tubridy has spoken openly about the sense of liberation he feels since stepping away from traditional broadcasting formats, describing the experience as empowering and transformative. Three years after the RTÉ payment scandal came to light, the Irish broadcaster says he now views the ordeal as a turning point that allowed him to rebuild his career on his own terms.
In a recent interview with the Irish Examiner, Tubridy reflected on the aftermath of the controversy, which revealed that RTÉ had understated his pay by €345,000 between 2017 and early 2023. Rather than dwell on bitterness or regret, he expressed gratitude for how events unfolded. “I’d say largely gratitude that it turned out so well,” he said, emphasizing the word ‘well’. He described going through the stages of grief before choosing to “get the hell on with it,” noting that he has since married, welcomed daughters, and cultivated a work life he genuinely enjoys.
Tubridy highlighted the freedom he now experiences in his professional life, particularly through his podcast, The Bookshelf by Ryan Tubridy, which he calls a “passion project” now in its fifth season. He contrasted this with two decades of working within rigid systems, saying, “I like the freedom of a podcast. It is a very liberating thing to do after 20 years of being beholden to a system.”
His current schedule includes a Sunday morning radio present on Dublin’s Q102, LMFM, Cork’s 96FM, and Live 95 FM in Limerick, airing from 10:00AM to 12:00PM. He also hosts a live tour version of The Bookshelf, during which he has shared personal routines such as early morning runs along Dún Laoghaire pier, reading in bed, and visiting local food trucks like Roots in Monkstown for acai bowls. Tubridy mentioned that he and his wife, Dr. Clare Kambamettu, have discussed getting a dog, though he acknowledged their small home and frequent travel make it unlikely for now.
Looking ahead, Tubridy is set to commence a modern show on Times Radio in the UK from March 2026, airing Sundays from 1–4pm. This marks another step in his post-RTÉ career, which has seen him embrace greater autonomy across radio, podcasting, and live events. He acknowledged that people often share him he is “working through sniper’s alley at my age,” prompting him to pay closer attention to his health and lifestyle, including running between 5km and 7km daily and reducing alcohol and unhealthy food intake.
Despite the challenges of the past few years, Tubridy maintains an optimistic outlook. He pointed to his marriage, his daughters, and the variety of work he now undertakes as sources of joy and fulfillment. “I’m not beholden to a machine. I’m happy,” he stated, summarizing his current mindset as one of gratitude and forward motion.