John Murray bid an emotional farewell to his RTÉ Radio 1 morning show, describing it as his greatest experience as a broadcaster.
Speaking to TEN after his final show this morning an emotional John said the show had literally taken over his life, saying it was "a fantastic five years, just listening to some of the memories that were played this morning brought so many good times back."
The popular presenter added: "I didn't realise it until it was coming to an end, and perhaps it will hit me even more in the next few days, that the show took over my life in many ways. You never stop thinking about things to do on the show.
It's been a pleasure and a privilege to do the show. I am looking forward to doing something new in the future."
While John could not reveal what his next project will be, it has been promised that he will return RTÉ Radio 1 in the autumn.
Over the last five years John and his team were well known to abandon studio to join about a thousand listeners for outings of The John Murray Show Walking Club, which he picked out as one of his personal highlights.
"The walks we had over the last five years not only provided great material for the show but it brought us directly in touch with people in every county of Ireland.
"There was something special about those walks because you spend a lot of time locked in studio and away from the listener. To me they were the standout from the five years."
Brendan O’Connor has been lined up to present the 9am slot on RTÉ Radio 1 for the month of July. It has not been confirmed who will fill the spot permanently, but John does have some advice for his eventual successor.
"Whoever takes over will be well able to do the same stuff we were doing, they might have new ideas. It's about conversations as people, it is about talking points.
"We did an awful lot to promote Irish music and I would really like to see that kept up.
"Either way I have no doubt my successor will make a great job of it."
