Thank you, & goodbye

Tubs dedicates final Late Late Show to family

- MICHELLE FLEMING

AN emotional Ryan Tubridy dedicated his final Late Late Show to his family, saying: "They are my constant. I love them so much."

He described his last edition as host of the RTE chat show as "a night of endings and new beginnings".

He's looking forward to his finale - on the weekend he turns 50 - with a star-studded line-up led by President Michael D Higgins.

The broadcaster - who has presented the Friday night show since 2009 said: "I sit looking at my desk this morning at about 300 or 400 cards and letters from people I don't even know. They have come from all around Ireland and in some cases all around the world.

"I am humbled, grateful and excited because this is the end of one phase of this extraordinarily exciting life I have had so far.

"I will turn the big 5-0 on Sunday so it's the perfect time to look ahead and welcome a new chapter.

"Until I am ready to share that next chapter, I am going to take some time off. My final words about my final Late Late Show are 'Thank You'.

"I'll be saying a lot of goodbyes for my last Late Late Show but it will also be a night of gratitude.

"Gratitude to all the people I have worked with and continue to work with, and their families.

"And enormous gratitude to the guests, artists, singers and the doers who have come through the door and graced us with their presence.