RTE Today host Dáithí Ó Sé on his new role after Maura Derrane stepped back

Dáithí Ó Sé said he felt he had to take on more responsibility on RTE’s Today show this year as Maura Derrane stepped back and a line of new faces slotted in.

A year of changes saw Sinead Kennedy join the team and a host of guest presenters such as Una Healy and Rachel Allen co-hosting in recent weeks.

However, Daithi said the show has never felt stronger.

As the ninth season wraps up today, the 44-year-old told the Irish Mirror: “I’m in good form. Thankfully we worked through the whole thing.

Maura Derrane, Daithi O' Se and Sinead Kennedy (Miki Barlok)

“We had the addition of having Sinead on Monday and Tuesday, which I thought really shook the whole thing up.

"She brought a different dimension to the show and the shows are a lot lighter these days. I think that’s the way they should be.

“I suppose we were trying to create this happy, safe place for people to come for a bit of fun in the afternoon.”

As co-host Maura stepped back from the show on Mondays and Tuesdays, and Sinead went off on maternity leave, Daithi found himself leading the way in the hot seat more than ever this season.

RTE viewers praise Una Healy as she co-hosts today show with Daithi O'Se (Una Healy Instagram)

Asked if that added extra responsibility, he replied:

“Definitely because no matter what happens I am the person there all the time so I am the person to make sure everything goes in the right direction.”

But, not one to suffer from nerves, the seasoned presenter said he tries not to put too much pressure on the gig.

Daithi, who lives in Galway with his wife former New Jersey Rose Rita Talty and their seven-year-old son Michael Og, said: “It’s only a TV show. It’s not like I was a surgeon or a bomb disposal expert saying, ‘don’t touch that’ or the whole thing blows up.

“It is only TV at the end of the day and we are there to enjoy it.”

The presenter lives in Galway with his wife, former New Jersey Rose Rita Talty and their seven-year-old son Míchael Óg.

From there, he commutes to Cork each day to film RTÉ's Today Show, a journey he admits he’s happy to take a break from for the summer.

“I’m on the road everyday. Sure jaysus, I’m sick of the car.

“I am looking forward to taking a break from the road.”