New RTE star Ray D’Arcy has defended his massive new salary, admitting: I took a pay cut leaving Today FM.
The radio star is rumoured to be taking home a massive €500,000 a year for his new Radio 1 show.
And speaking for the first time about his new pay deal, Ray admitted: “I’m getting paid less than I was. I am very well paid. That’s the nature of what I do.”
Taking over: Ray is hosting the slot formally occupied by Derek | VIPIRELAND.COM
As an RTE employee, his salary will now be published by the State broadcaster in two years’ time, which does annoy him.
And Ray admitted: “I would prefer if people didn’t know what I was earning, but I definitely wasn’t motivated by money.
The former The Den host also revealed he had been approached to return to RTE numerous times in the past, but felt the time was not right until now.
He said: “It all happened very quickly. I’ve been approached numerous times by RTE in the past. I have had heads of radio, TV people in my house sipping coffee, telling me this and promising me that.
In demand: Ray had been approached by RTE bosses several times to join the station | VIPIRELAND.COM
“This time, all the stars were aligned. I was coming to the end of a contract. There were new people in positions of power in RTE who I respect. And I was at a certain time in my life.”
The 50-year-old also said he was devastated to be told by Today FM bosses that he couldn’t say goodbye to listeners after his decision to leave for RTE.
He told the RTE Guide: “That was hard. And that week was an amazing one. It was the best of what we do. And then you go from that to nothing.
“It was unfortunate the way it happened, but it’s the nature of the business we’re in. I would have loved for it to have been different. I would have loved to have been able to say a proper goodbye.”
In love: Ray revealed he wouldn’t have made the career move without wife Jenny |THERESE AHERNE
But now Ray is looking ahead to his new RTE spot which will allow him to spend more time with his kids, Kate and Tom.
And the star admits he wouldn’t have done it without wife Jenny, who returns as his producer.
He said: “It’s brilliant to have Jenny in to set up the thing. She just has skills other people don’t have. I honestly don’t think I would have made this move without Jenny.”
He added: “I remember the first day Jenny was going back to work at Today FM. We had to leave the house at the same time – 7 o’clock.
“Tom was a year and a half at the time, and he didn’t cry, but he put his head in his hands. It was the most heartbreaking thing… This is a completely different day, time-wise.
“I am leaving Kate to school, we’re not in until 10, so we have this lovely two hours in the morning.”
