- Anna Daly has formally applied to become the new host of Liveline.
- She acknowledges the impossibility of directly replacing Joe Duffy.
- Her decision is influenced by her freelance career journey.
- She faces stiff competition from several seasoned RTÉ broadcasters.
Former Ireland AM presenter Anna Daly has publicly confirmed she is among the contenders vying to replace the legendary Joe Duffy as host of RTÉ Radio 1’s Liveline.
With Duffy’s retirement after 27 years, the search for his successor has become a major topic of discussion in Irish media. Daly, who has built a substantial broadcasting career, sees this as a natural next step in her professional journey.
Anna Daly Officially Applied for the Coveted Role
Anna Daly has openly admitted that she submitted an application for the Liveline host position. When asked directly if she had applied, her response was unequivocal. She expressed confidence in her extensive live television and radio experience, seeing it as strong justification for her candidacy. The application process was handled through her agent, coinciding with RTÉ’s public call for expressions of interest, which likely expanded the pool of candidates.
“I did, I certainly did… I’d imagine there’s stiff competition going on, but listen, I’ve a lot of live TV and now radio experience, so why not?”
Acknowledging the Challenge of Replacing a Broadcasting Icon
Daly understands the immense challenge of stepping into Joe Duffy’s shoes, acknowledging that he is irreplaceable. She praised his unique genius in drawing out compelling conversations from guests, a skill honed over decades.
Daly believes the new host must create their own distinct era for the show rather than attempting to imitate Duffy’s iconic style. This philosophy aligns with her approach when covering for other presenters, emphasizing authenticity over imitation.
“There will never be another Joe… I’ve listened to Joe for years and I think he is a genius… the new person, whoever takes over, will [have to] put their stamp on it and it will be a new era.”
The Freelancer’s Motivation Behind the Application
The pursuit of the Liveline role is partly driven by the realities of Daly’s career as a freelancer after leaving the security of Virgin Media in 2021.
She spoke candidly about the occasional panic that comes with freelance opportunities in Ireland, contrasting it with her previous 17 years of a guaranteed salary. This transition has made her eager to pursue significant opportunities wherever they appear, making the high-profile Liveline position particularly appealing.
“You can kind of panic every so often, being a freelancer… I was with Virgin for so long that any opportunity that came in I couldn’t look at, whereas now I’m like, ‘Where do you want me? I’ll go anywhere!’”
Navigating Fierce Competition and Industry Speculation
Daly enters a highly competitive field. Katie Hannon is consistently cited as the bookmakers’ favorite, with other established RTÉ figures like Sarah McInerney and Philip Boucher-Hayes also in the running.
An RTÉ insider described the speculation surrounding the appointment as reaching “wild levels”. The process is ongoing, with the national broadcaster expected to announce its decision in the autumn, and it is considering a potential overhaul of the show and its afternoon schedule.
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Last Updated on August 21, 2025 by 247 News Around The World
