Ryan Tubridy says he has been cancelled as result of RTÉ payment scandal

Fiona Frawley

The broadcaster said he has struggled to leave the house amid the RTÉ payment controversy.

Former Late Late host Ryan Tubridy appeared before the Public Accounts Committee meeting today alongside his agent, Noel Kelly.

In the latest interesting quip from Tubridy, who came out swinging this morning with his opening statement addressing various “untruths” circulating around the scandal, the former Late Late Show presenter has claimed he has been “cancelled” since the payments issue and subsequent controversy arose.

“I’d like to add, people have families,” said Tubridy.

“You’re a public representative, you know what it means when you’re in the middle of something, I get that. This is my first rodeo being in the public eye, but I’ve never seen anything like it. I don’t know if any of you have been cancelled before, but let me tell you, you don’t want to be there.

Tubridy made the statement as Kelly mentioned the “horrendous reporting” around the ongoing scandal. The agent reiterated that he and Tubridy asked to meet with the Oireachtas committee to provide further light on matters.

“We weren’t invited, we asked. And we saw over the last three weeks, I’ve never seen such horrendous, horrendous reporting.

“And why? Suddenly the most trusted man in Ireland, Ryan Tubridy, it was like ‘throw him under a bus’. Why?”

Tubridy added: “My name has been desperately sullied, I think my reputation has been sullied.

“I’m deeply upset. I’m hurt. It’s hard to leave the house if you really want me to be honest about it.

“For what? I’ve spent three weeks watching people telling stories. I’m not looking for sympathy or violin.”

Responding to a question about the children of Ireland wondering why the Late Late Toy Show host was on the TV so much lately, Tubridy said: “My relationship with the children of Ireland is so important to me. I know that sounds grandiose, but actually it is.

“I want them to be happy and hopeful and proud to be Irish and read lots of books and just be wonderful young people. That doesn’t change, but what’s happened the last three weeks – it’s a frenzy.”

This article originally appeared on joe.ie

Header image via Oireachtas TV/RTÉ

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