Maia Dunphy has backed Ryan Tubridy’s claim he decided to leave The Late Late Show almost a year ago.
In his opening statement to the Public Accounts Committee today, the presenter slammed any suggestion he decided to leave the programme due to the RTÉ payments scandal.
Maia, who is also represented by Ryan’s agent Noel Kelly, has since supported his statement on Twitter by revealing he told her he was planning on leaving last year.
Ryan Tubridy told me in confidence last August that after much consideration, he was planning to leave the LLS at the end of the season. I have no skin in this game, but as some seem to think he decided to leave suddenly because of this debacle, I can tell you that’s not true.
— Maïa Dunphy (@MaiaDunphy) July 11, 2023
Maia tweeted: “Ryan Tubridy told me in confidence last August that after much consideration, he was planning to leave the LLS at the end of the season.”
“I have no skin in this game, but as some seem to think he decided to leave suddenly because of this debacle, I can tell you that’s not true.”
In another tweet, she added: “It was at the RTE Autumn launch. I’m not usually at it, but had to go to promote a show.”
“I was a bit overwhelmed, as it was the first media event I’d been at since my Mum died. Ryan sensed I was struggling and took me out for some air. He’s good like that. That’s when he told me.”
It was at the RTE Autumn launch. I’m not usually at it, but had to go to promote a show. I was a bit overwhelmed, as it was the first media event I’d been at since my Mum died. Ryan sensed I was struggling and took me out for some air. He’s good like that. That’s when he told me. https://t.co/mpNrdCS3aF
— Maïa Dunphy (@MaiaDunphy) July 11, 2023
In his opening statement this morning, Ryan insisted: “I was not aware of any of this debacle when I decided to retire from the Late Late Show.
“I made my initial decision to leave The Late Late Show almost a year ago. Around this time, I mentioned it to those closest to me, my family and my agent. They were surprised, very surprised to say the least.
“I explained to them that, among other things, I had left a lot on the studio floor after Covid. I was burnt out and exhausted – like so many people in the country. I turned it over in my mind over a few months, but by the time I got to January, I was absolutely certain of my decision. I was convinced that it was time to go.
“There is ZERO connection between my departure and this very raw situation of recent weeks. I informed management on March 13th of this year. I first became aware of the Grant Thornton review in May – some two months later. Even then, I had no inkling of the bombshell which was to come when RTÉ released their statement on June 22nd.”
