RTÉ announce Oliver Callan to permanently take over Ryan Tubridy's old radio slot

Oliver Callan will present a new morning programme Oliver Callan on RTÉ Radio 1, weekdays from 9am to 10am from Monday, January 29. 

The announcement was made Saturday January 20, on the Brendan O'Connor morning show on RTÉ Radio 1.

Oliver is already familiar to listeners across the schedule as an award-winning impressionist, with hit show Callan’s Kicks that has been running on RTÉ Radio 1 since 2012.

"I am fierce excited to join RTÉ Radio 1 every morning for the hallowed hour of 9am - not least as it will finally stop every person I meet from asking about it," he said.

"Mostly though, because 2024 is set to be the best possible year for being part of the national conversation, with seminal moments in elections, sport and culture coming."

"I plan to keep the comedy going, to celebrate Irish books, music and history and get serious when we need to. I can also promise to keep all on-air mentions of Monaghan to a minimum, like its legendary football, poetry and poultry."

Oliver Callan is one of Ireland’s most sought-after comedians and voice actors, an award-winning impressionist with hit shows on national radio, television and live on stage.  

Oliver shot to fame through his repertoire of voices, ranging from Joe Biden to Leo Varadkar, Boris Johnson, Donald Trump and an array of public figures. He is the creator of Callan’s Kicks, a hit radio satire with TV specials, comedy albums and live shows. Oliver has also penned columns for publications including The Irish Sun, The Irish Times and The Currency. 

Peter Woods, Head of RTÉ Radio 1, said: "I'm delighted that Oliver Callan is joining RTÉ Radio 1 at nine o'clock. We've known Oliver for a long time, not least through Callan's Kicks. He came in at the start of the Covid lockdown and gave the whole country a lift."

"Oliver is an accomplished broadcaster, who already has a connection with the RTÉ Radio 1 audience. He is starting a new journey with us now and he will have the full support of the RTÉ Radio 1 team in a programme that will bear his inimitable stamp."