Ryan Tubridy has said he will be “forever grateful” after taking part in The Assembly, praising the neurodiverse interviewers who questioned him during the programme for their kindness, honesty and unpredictability.
The new series, which aired on Virgin Media early this year, saw a neurodiverse audience interview well-known Irish people, including the former Late Late Show host.
Sharing a heartfelt message on Instagram following the episode’s broadcast, Ryan thanked the 34 interviewers who took part in the unique format.
“A note of thanks to the 34 extraordinary neurodiverse interviewers on The Assembly who gathered to ask me the most wonderful, and at times, unexpected series of questions about my life and times…so far.”
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Describing the experience as deeply moving, he said the three-hour filming session was edited into a single hour of television that captured something truly special.
“It was emotional, kind, fair, unpredictable and joyful,” he wrote.
Ryan then praised the interviewers for their courage in standing up in front of their peers, cameras and crew, describing the experience as “not easy” but one that each participant rose to with confidence and honesty.
“To stand up in front of your peers and with cameras and crew everywhere was not easy but each and every questioner stepped up to the plate and made their families proud,” he said.
He also paid tribute to presenter Muireann O’Connell, who moderated the discussion, praising her for handling the programme with class and ease.
He went on to thank the production team behind the scenes, singling out Kite Entertainment boss Darren Smith, as well as Virgin Media, for backing the programme.
Ryan then described The Assembly as an important opportunity to reflect society more honestly, adding that it allowed viewers to see “different aspects of who we are as a society in a world gone mean”.
“I learnt a lot and will be forever grateful,” he finally added.
