Ryan Tubridy reveals new podcast: ‘This has been a passion project of mine’

The Bookshelf with Ryan Tubridy will feature guests who share a love of reading talking about their favourite childhood book, a book that made them cry and the book that changed their life.

Tubridy teased the arrival of the podcast last week when he announced on Instagram he was taking a break from his mid-morning show on Virgin Radio in London and told followers to “stand by for podcast news”.

“This has been a passion project of mine for a couple of years now but I could never quite find enough time to put it all together. Harold McMillan used to talk about ‘events, dear boy, events’,” Tubridy said.

"Those times in life when the least expected things happen. Such events happened to me last summer. Despite it being an exceptionally difficult time, it made me reassess and explore new opportunities to realise some dreams I've long held in my heart.”

Tubridy said he has achieved two of his personal goals in working in UK radio and launching his podcast.

“One was to work on the radio in the UK which I am currently doing and loving. The other was to bring The Bookshelf with Ryan Tubridy to fruition which is where we are today. I always say, you'll never be lonely or bored with a book in your hand.”

The broadcaster has promised the podcast will be for everyone whether they’re avid readers or not where guests will “discuss their life through the prism of books”.

“They bring company, enlightenment and enrichment whether you're reading a comic, a cereal box or a crime novel,” he said.

“The world of reading is rarely dull and lends itself to the most intriguing conversations, of which I've had many putting season one together. The first of these conversations drops on Tuesday [April 16]. I can't wait to share it with you.”

The podcast has found “the perfect partnership” in book chain Eason. Tubridy will provide a recommendation each week in a ‘Ryan Recommends’ segment of the podcast, speaking about a book he has enjoyed in recent weeks and months.

We’re delighted to be sponsoring The Bookshelf with Ryan Tubridy; a weekly series of great guests discussing the books that have influenced or affected them, is the kind of content we’re really excited for,” Eason Group Head of Marketing Brendan Corbett said.

“Eason has a longstanding reputation for promoting great books, so partnering with this show and Ryan, who has been such a champion of reading and an advocate for the Irish book industry, is a great match for us. We’re really looking forward to hearing all the guests in conversation over the coming weeks.”

The first guest to join Tubridy on The Bookshelf is yet to be revealed and listeners will have to wait until the first episode is released next week. Guests are promised to come from “the worlds of music, television, literature and sport”.

The Bookshelf with Ryan Tubridy will be available from April 16 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and other audio platforms.