IT'S IN THE BALANCE..

Talks 'complex' between Tubs and the broadcaster...Grant Thornton report 'exonerates' ex-Late Late host...Star wants to re-establish public trust

- SANDRA MALLON

RYAN Tubridy's future at RTE will be decided in a matter of days - as it says he wants to "re-establish trust with staff and colleagues".

The star has been off air from his Radio 1 show since June after revelations from the RTE payments scandal were disclosed, outlining an understatement of his earnings.

A Grant Thornton report published yesterday found that Mr Tubridy had no involvement in the adjustments made by the broadcaster in 2020 to his published earnings totalling €120,000 for the 2017-2019 period.

The investigation found RTE adjusted the publicly stated figures for Mr Tubridy's salary between 2017 and 2019 to make it appear as though he was paid less than €500,000.

The Grant Thornton report said that, on the "balance of probabilities", the reason for not reporting the correct figure was about making his overall payment seem smaller.

The former Late Late Show host welcomed the report's "fair" findings, adding he is "committed to re-establishing the confidence and trust of my colleagues and listeners".

But RTE's Director General Kevin Bakhurst says Mr Tubridy's return to his Radio 1 show is not that easy saying he will announce his decision in a matter of days.

A spokesman said: "Kevin Bakhurst has said that discussions between RTE and Ryan Tubridy are complex and there is a lot to consider on both sides. Discussions are ongoing and he hopes to be in a position to announce something this week or next week." An insider said the report could lead the way for Tubs to return to our airwaves.

He added: "Ryan had no involvement. That is clear in the report.

"I think staff do want to see him back now that the report exonerates him. Staff would like to have some normality back working on his radio show so we will wait and see what is decided by the powers that be."