On the Record Host Gavan Reilly has announced he is stepping down the presenter’s chair and departing the show. 

Gavan has served as On the Record host since March 2019, alongside his role as Virgin Media News Political Correspondent. 

Announcing his departure today, Gavan recalled he was first asked to cover for former host Kieran Cuddihy when he moved to Newstalk Breakfast. 

“Lo and behold one thing led to another, and since March 2019, this has been, alongside my five-day week in virgin media, my full-time gig,” he said. 

“Not only has a lot changed about the world in that time, but a lot has also changed in my own life. 

“Five years ago, when I presented for the first time, my wife and I weren't even expecting our eldest child... Now she’s in big school, and she’s got a sister who turned two this week.” 

Gavan explained he is stepping down from the show to spend more time with his wife and children.

“The three of them are obviously the centre of my universe but they're also people I don’t get to see enough of,” he said. 

“In the case of the younger two, they are just beginning to notice they don’t get to see as much of me as they would like.” 

Gavan thanked the Newstalk management team for facilitating his departure “but also for giving me the chance to actually do [the show]”. 

'It's been a huge honour'

Gavan also thanked everyone who contributed to the show in the last five years, including Aoife Breen, Simon Keane, Joao Cardoso and Julia Tereno. 

“And to the listeners, tens of thousands of you, nearly 100,000, it's been a huge honour to share your Sundays with you,” he said. 

“I understand how precious a Sunday morning is and the idea that so many of you would let you be [part] of that is an enormous privilege and something I will always be grateful for.” 

Newstalk Political Correspondent Seán Defoe will fill in as On the Record host from next week until the new host is announced.