Television presenter Brendan Courtney has revealed that his wages issued to him by RTÉ are not enough to live on.
The Dubliner hosts the hit RTÉ show Keys To My Life, and has won over the public on Ryan Tubridy’s former 9am slot on RTÉ Radio One.
Speaking to The Irish Sun, the fashion designer explained that the majority of Irish presenters need another source of income in order to pay bills.
“I could not live on what I get paid. I have my TV series Keys to My Life on Sunday nights and I cover radio slots.”
“But I couldn’t pay a mortgage on what I earn so I have to do other work. Being a presenter is a hustle for sure,” the RTÉ host explained.
Brendan told the publication that himself and Sonya Lennon were paid €16k each to host the popular fashion programme, Off The Rails.
“In fairness it was only 12 programmes. It didn’t take up all your time. It wasn’t a full time job,” the presenter added.
However, the programme allowed the fashion designers to team up and create their own brand, the very successful Lennon Courtney, which the duo have relaunched with Kilkenny Design this week.
The 52-year-old has also helped developed RTÉ’s Wanderlust dating show which he sold internationally – helping him make the move to London.
The RTÉ host outlined his busy schedule as he explained how he films two series of Keys To My Life each year.
“I shoot two series of Keys To My Life each year. It’s on Sunday nights and it’s one of the biggest shows on TV and always in the top ten most watched.”
“We start one going into winter and then another going into spring. There’s eight shows in a series, and it takes about five days to make one show. I get paid per episode. But it doesn’t take up all my time.”
“It’s very modest what I’m paid but I feel I’m paid appropriately for the work I do. I’m not bitter about it because I’m free then to capitalise and use my profile then to make other work.”
The TV presenter is among a number of Irish broadcasters who cannot rely solely on their presenting roles to make a living.
While RTÉ’s highest-paid presenter Joe Duffy is raking in €351,000 annually, others outside of the top 10 are earning a lot less.
Operation Transformation’s Kathyrn Thomas runs her Pure Results fitness retreats, while over on Virgin Media, presenter Grainne Seoige owns her own diamond business.
