Joe Duffy says his family were “adamant” he retire from Liveline

Joe Duffy has opened up about his reason for retiring from Liveline, noting how his family were “adamant” he did so.

Yes, Joe shocked listeners last month when he announced his retirement after 27 years on the show, with his final broadcast scheduled for June 27.

“After 37 wonderful years here in RTÉ, and 27 years presenting Liveline, it has been an incredible honour and privilege to be part of a programme that relied entirely on trust: the trust of our listeners,” he shared on air.

Now he’s revealed that his family are a big reason for him deciding to hang up the mic.

 

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Speaking out, Joe said: “I’m not real, real gone but it was time for me to move on from Liveline after 27 years.

“My contract in RTÉ, already extended by two years, was due to finish at the end of June.

“There was talk about going on for a bit longer. RTÉ were interested,” he explained.

“But my family were adamant – adamant – that I go.

“I’m 69 and my daughter was saying that she was sick of seeing other dads retiring too late in life or not getting that chance to retire.”

While Joe hopes to keep working in some capacity, he doesn’t quite know what that will look like yet.

“I have had offers of podcasts and newspaper columns, but I want to take it easy for a while.”

He’s certainly earned it!