Joe Duffy announced that he would be stepping down from Liveline after over two decades in June.
It truly is the end of an era.
As soon as the mourning period ended, the whole country started wondering who could fill those massive shoes.
Now it looks like Tommy Tiernan has thrown his hat in the ring.
Speaking to RTÉ’s Brendan O’Connor, the comedian turned chat show host said: “On the chat show, it’s very easy for me to keep asking questions because I am curious about people.
“It’s very easy for me to have long conversations with people I meet at the street and not to think that my curiosity is nosiness – it probably kind of is – but be naturally curious. You know, I’d be great on Liveline.”
When Brendan asked would he take on the show, Tommy was quick to show off his wit.
“No, I couldn’t. I’d find it very hard to fit that and the presidency in,” he joked.
He added that he had never considered running for president despite the ever-present rumours.
He took the opportunity, however, to praise our current president, Michael D Higgins, saying: “He’s a gifted man and my feeling is that we’re all aware of his morality, his fearlessness in the stands that he has taken, his gift as an orator and his integrity.
“We’ve had 14 years of the most magnificent presidency, a president that we have been proud of and it’s not for us to imagine how the next presidency will happen.”
He went on to say: “It’s important to seriously and respectfully acknowledge the brilliance of his presidency and to say thank you. I don’t know who the runners and riders are for the next one, but we will need to take a moment to genuinely thank Michael D Higgins for 14 years of inspiring presidency”.
Jennifer Zamparelli’s name is also in the ring for Liveline host, although she told VIP Magazine: ” I don’t know who can fill his shoes. He’s just such an icon and so amazing at what he does and we’re so used to his lovely voice. I think it’ll be tricky for anybody to fill those shoes. So don’t put money on me, because you might lose.”
