Glenda Gilson told of her shock at Mark Cagney’s departure from Ireland AM, saying: “It will be hard to find another Mark.”
The 63-year-old TV star announced this week he will be leaving the popular breakfast show after 19 years.
Simon Delaney will be taking over the slot next month.
Asked if she was shocked by her colleague’s announcement on Wednesday, Glenda told the Irish Mirror: “Absolutely, yeah big time and you miss him around there, he really is one in there that everyone enjoys.
"I am gutted. I love Mark and he is a great fella.
“Everyone loves him because he is such a hard worker and he puts everyone to shame when he comes.
“He’s unbelievable. It will be hard to find another Mark.”
Reflecting on the presenter’s impressive run at the helm of the live breakfast show, Glenda added: “Everyone will miss Mark, he was so professional. I just can’t believe he did it for so long.
“He is always the one who would just give you great advice and it was always advice that was key and you would listen to.
“He reads all of his own notes and everybody else’s just in case something goes wrong on air.”
The mum to eight-month-old son Bobby is currently enjoying extended maternity leave.
But speaking at the launch of Ceira Lambert’s new salon in McCauley’s on Charlemont Street in Dublin, Glenda said she hopes to return to her spot in Xpose at the end of the summer.
She added: “That’s the plan anyway. I’m going back after the summer.
“This is the only time I’ll get to be with Bobby and enjoy this time with him as a first time mother.”
