RTÉ has announced who will fill the shoes of Joe Duffy for the first week of Liveline without the the radio veteran as he begins his retirement.
Duffy manned the show for 27 years until last Friday when he stepped back, bidding an emotional farewell to his renowned RTÉ Radio 1 programme.
The national broadcaster is still to confirm a permanent replacement, with an official announcement expected in the autumn.
Prior to his last broadcast on Friday, Joe, at the age of 69, assured listeners there would be no break in the Liveline schedule, confirming it would air as usual on Monday.
Philip Boucher-Hayes has been chosen to step in for the next week, RSVP Live reports.
Boucher-Hayes is a known voice on RTÉ, presenting Countrywide on Radio 1 with previous experience filling in on Liveline.
He has regularly been the relief host for Today With Claire Byrne too.
Several names have been touted as permanent replacements in the weeks proceeding Duffy's announcement in May that he was stepping away.
Favourite Oliver Callan saw a surge in support two weeks ago. The satirist and broadcaster has built a strong following with his 9am slot on RTÉ Radio 1, and punters are now backing him for a move to the coveted 1.45pm slot vacated by Duffy.
TV and radio presenter Jennifer Zamparelli is priced at 2/1, while Claire Byrne follows closely at 3/1.
2FM presenter Carl Mullan, who fronted The Full Irish Hidden Camera Show, is listed at 5/1.
Amidst rising conjecture, there is talk of Katie Hannon taking the reins, particularly after her current affairs TV show, Upfront with Katie Hannon, was cancelled after three seasons, prompting mounting speculation.
Nonetheless, Hannon continues to be the voice behind the RTÉ podcast Behind the Story and is also set to front a new television programme ahead of 2025's Presidential election.
Commenting on her programme’s termination, Katie said: "I'm very proud of what we achieved on Upfront. We managed to buck the international trend and actually grew our audience on linear television and our digital footprint.
"It was a privilege to work with our small team of talented and hardworking colleagues led by our editor Janet Traynor.
"I also want to thank all of those who came into our studio and trusted us with their stories and contributed to the national conversation on the issues that matter to all of us.
"I'm disappointed that we won't be able to keep that conversation going."
In his final moments on Friday's Liveline, Joe kept things succinct but memorable, even reviving his famous pandemic message, 'wash your hands'.
To his audience, he said: "That's all from me on Liveline. Goodbye from Studio 1, and remember, 51551. Wash your hands.
"Love you all. It's been a privilege. It's been a privilege."
