'My life was lived in the glare of the limelight for 20 years... I had my fill of being public property

TUBRIDY ON WHY HE'S QUITTING LATE LATE

- SANDRA MALLON

RYAN Tubridy has said being finished as "public property" was one of the reasons he's stepping down from hosting The Late Late Show.

The RTE star will take the helm of the chat show for the last time next Friday.

Explaining his reasons for leaving he added: "I think it's time to concentrate on the love of people closer to me than the attention of those I don't know.

"My life was lived in the glare of the limelight for 20 years so yes, that was one of the reasons.

"I wanted to turn that light down. I just think I had my fill of being public property at that level.

"Now I've always accepted the fame thing was part and parcel of the job, but then you hit an age and think, 'That was lovely, but I don't want to play that game anymore'.

"Last summer, the seeds were sown in my head, but it got short circuited in the last few months. So no one thing, but a tapestry of events that helped to lead me to where I am today.

The Dubliner, 49, is said to have shocked RTE bosses but he insisted his decision to quit was final.

He continued: "There was no bartering to be done as they were told what was happening by me and that it was non-negotiable.