Oliver Callan has been named as the new host of the 9am weekday slot of RTÉ Radio 1, officially replacing Ryan Tubridy. 

Mr Callan will present the new morning programme Oliver Callan from 9am to 10am on weekdays, starting on January 29th.  

He is the current host of Callan’s Kicks on Radio 1, where he is known for his impressions of notable figures such as Leo Varadkar and Donald Trump. 

Announcing the news on Brendan O'Connor this morning, Mr Callan said he is “fierce excited to join RTÉ Radio 1 every morning for the hallowed hour of 9am”. 

“Mostly though, because 2024 is set to be the best possible year for being part of the national conversation, with seminal moments in elections, sport and culture coming,” he said. 

“I plan to keep the comedy going, to celebrate Irish books, music and history and get serious when we need to.” 

Mr Callan told Radio 1 he has signed a two-year contract with a salary of €150,000 per year. 

“First post-new RTÉ contract,” he said. 

RTÉ payments controversy

Mr Callan replaces former RTÉ presenter Ryan Tubridy, who became the centre of controversy last June when the national broadcaster revealed it had under-declared Mr Tubridy’s salary. 

RTÉ admitted it paid the former Late Late Show host €345,000 more than it declared between 2017 and 2022. 

RTÉ executive staff, Mr Tubridy and his agent Noel Kelly were questioned by an Oireacthas Media Committee. 

It was also revealed the account used to funnel undeclared payments to Mr Tubridy was also used to hold a “slush fund” for hospitality costs, sports outings and other amenities. 

New RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst later announced the introduction of a €250,000 salary cap for all staff. 

RTÉ received a €65 million Government bailout after publishing a new “strategic vision” that includes plans to cut around 400 jobs at the broadcaster through a voluntary redundancy scheme. 

Mr Callan told Radio 1 he had been in touch with Mr Tubridy at the time of the payments controversy. 

He said he “commiserated with him” and believed Mr Tubridy experienced “the biggest pile-on”.