Ronan Collins responds to Louise Duffy's comment about his RTE Gold show

The much loved radio presenter says he has a good relationship with Louise, who replaced him on Radio 1, and is delighted at how successful she has been on the airwaves

Ronan Collins has responded to comments Louise Duffy made about his show on RTE Gold last year.

The legendary broadcaster left Radio 1 at the end of 2022 after 37 years at the helm of lunchtime slot the Ronan Collins Show.

Ex Today FM host Louise replaced him on the airwaves, and the following March Ronan took up a daily mid-morning show on RTE Gold - which she previously admitted to feeling confused about.

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“That was perplexing. I mean, it was an unusual decision... business wise,” she told the Sunday Independent last year.

“He had always planned to do a little more, but it was more that we’re now on at the same time. But they are very different shows and very different platforms, like radio, a digital platform.”

Ronan has now shrugged this off and says he has a good relationship with Louise.

“I don’t think Louise was surprised at all. I think some of the people I’ve worked with overreacted a little...What did they think I was going to do? They knew I was going to RTE Gold. Louise had started on Radio 1, and I didn’t start [on RTE Gold] until March of that year. And ah, I think we all got a bit of publicity,” he told the Irish Independent.

“I meet Louise from time to time in RTE... She’s an extremely nice person. She’s very bright. And I’m delighted that it’s going so well for her.”

Ronan was moved by the support he got from the public when he announced he was leaving his former show.

He added: “I got an extraordinary reaction when I was stepping down. It was unbelievable the outpouring of support... they were giving out to RTE. They thought RTE were moving me on, and RTE weren’t moving me on.

“I got in first... Because that’s the only inevitable thing about staying in RTE and having a great future behind you. You will be moved on. I got in first, and I finished on my own terms.”

A few months after leaving Radio 1, the national broadcaster hit headlines for a series of payment scandals.

“I was surprised at how things were handled but RTE had to be answerable... My time in RTE was fantastic. I’m just glad I wasn’t there for the turmoil that happened,” Ronan said.

The radio star felt most sorry for the creative people in the company, “as opposed to the people who manage the place.”

He added: “I have a great grá for the place, and great affection... but I am sad for lots of people. Having said that, will RTE rise again? Absolutely, most definitely, because there’s way too many good people [in there].”

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