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Sandra Mallon & Kim O'Leary

Ryan Tubridy tipped for the Aras after leaving Late Late Show

Ryan Tubridy has been hotly tipped by bookies to enter the race for the Aras, with the upcoming presidential election to take place in 2025.

Now it look's like a potential Presidential bid could be on the cards for the former Late Late Show host, who departed the show in May after 14 years in the role, reports The Irish Mirror. Last month, current President Michael D Higgins appeared as a guest on The Late Late Show for Tubridy's last ever show, and now Tub's chances of replacing Higgins in Áras an Uachtaráin in 2025 is now 8/1 from 66/1.

At the moment, Ryan Tubridy is the third favourite in early betting to be elected President in two years’ time, behind Mairead McGuinness (4/1) and Fergus Finlay (7/1), who both unsuccessfully sought nominations in the previous election in 2011. Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BoyleSports said: “It may be a radical career change, but Ryan Tubridy comes from political stock and some punters have been happy to swallow up massive odds he’ll throw his hat in the ring."

After stepping down from The Late Late Show, Tubridy revealed that he has plans in the work which may include a new podcast as well as fronting tv documentaries.

Read more: Tributes flow in after RTE's Dancing with the Stars pro dies

BoyleSports has odds of 6/4 for Tubridy releasing an autobiography, while there's odds of just 7/2 for him to appear as a guest when The Late Late Show returns with Patrick Kielty as the host.

Tubridy has also previously ruled out an appearance on Dancing with the Stars, although it’s only a 5/1 shot Tubridy is talked into a tango when the next series hits screens next year. He is also backed at 25/1 to take over from Daithi O Se as Rose of Tralee host in 2024.

In March, rumours circulated amongst Fianna Fail that the Dubliner could run for President when Michael D Higgins departs the top job. Limerick TD Willie O’Dea told The Irish Mirror at the time: “He’s obviously a very talented guy and Fianna Fail could do with all the talent it could get at the moment so obviously I would welcome him.”

Ryan Tubridy with President Michael D Higgins on The Late Late Show (RTE)

An insider said Tubridy could be setting his sights on the prestigious role when he steps down from the chat show. They added: “Ryan is a much-loved household name in Ireland and would make a great ambassador for the country that we could be proud of, following in the footsteps of President Michael D Higgins.

"Ryan could have the Barack Obama factor of the Irish presidency.” Tubridy also has a close friendship with President Higgins, often hosting the Aras summer garden parties as well as conducting big interviews with the President on The Late Late Show.

Ryan Tubridy with President Michael D Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin (Instagram/Ryan Tubridy)

He also interviewed the President for his final show last month. It was an emotional final Late Late Show for Ryan Tubridy, who dedicated his final stint on the show to his family.

The episode had multiple highlights, from a thought-provoking interview with President Higgins to U2 giving the host a red Vespa as a gift and PJ Gallagher driving into the studio with it, to Saoirse Ronan and Tubridy’s idol Paul McCartney sending him video messages.

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