Ryan Tubridy listeners reckon there was hidden meaning in first song on new show

REACTIONS have been mostly positive to Ryan Tubridy's new mid morning show on UK and Irish radio.

Tuesday, January 2, saw the ex-Late Late host start his new hosting job on the mid-morning slot on Virgin Radio UK.

His show will fill the 10am to 1pm slot every week Monday to Friday, which is also simulcast on Dublin's Q102.

The response from listeners has been positive, with many of the texts read out by Tubridy on his inaugural show coming from Irish listeners wishing him well in his new job, including actor James Nesbitt, along welcoming messages from his new Virgin Radio UK co-workers were also played on air, including fellow Irishman Graham Norton

Adding to the star-studded show, Tubridy's first on-air guest was his sometimes tennis buddy and actor Russell Crowe, who dialed in from a dinner party in Australia.

Reaction on social media has been positive so far, though the former RTÉ broadcasters first song raised a few eyebrows, with many assuming his choice of U2's Pride (In the Name of Love) to be a not-so-subtle dig at the RTÉ payments scandal that saw him taken of air in June 2023.

Ryan Tubridy kicking off his Virgin Radio show with U2's Pride (In the Name of Love). "One man betrayed with a kiss"? The RTÉ scandal runs deeper than we could have ever imagined.

— Liam De Brún (@liamdeb) January 2, 2024

Despite this, listeners and commentators had only good things to say on X (formerly Twitter), with many saying they enjoyed the new more-music focused style of show.

Tubridy will also host a weekend show on Sunday mornings from 10am to 12pm, which will be broadcast in Ireland on Q102, Limerick's Live95, LMFM (Louth/Meath) and Cork's 96FM.

Signing off just before 1pm, he thanked his new team and everyone who tuned in.

"This adventure has just begun," he said.