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14th September 2025
05:31pm BST
Claire Byrne could be set for a return to television after sources have revealed Virgin Media has 'made approaches' to Byrne, who was the station's former current affairs presenter, per Extra.ie.
The revelation comes after Claire Byrne's shock decision to leave RTÉ Radio 1 and move to its independent competitor, Newstalk.
Sources have said that Virgin Media is making 'concerted efforts' to entice the presenter back.
Ms Byrne first rose to fame when she presented for Virgin Media, formerly known as ITV3.
According to one source: "Virgin Media are in talks with Claire Byrne to come back to the station, in one form or another," per Extra.ie
It is believed that Virgin has offered Ms Byrne the opportunity to present some one-off current affairs programmes, which will work in Byrne's favour as she has a young family.
The source continued: "Claire has more than proved herself as one of, if not the best, current affairs broadcasters. She can pick and choose what work she wants to accept or turn down.
"She also has a young family, and spending time with them is really, really important, so a full-time return to television isn’t even a starter. That said, Claire loves the cut and thrust of current affairs, so getting back on to telly for stuff like the upcoming Presidential debates or other one-off current affairs-type shows – that is definitely something that, from what I’m hearing, she would like to consider."
Claire Byrne started her career at the station back in 2000 as a reporter on the then-newcomer, TV3.
Just a year into her career, she left the station for a position in London as a news anchor on Channel 5.
Ms Byrne made her return to Ireland a few years later to present the breakfast show, Ireland AM. In 2004, she took on the role of main anchor on TV3's 5.30 pm news programme.
Six years later, she decided to join RTÉ, where she took over from Seán O’Rourke on the Today radio slot, making her one of the country's most recognisable faces and one of the most respected current affairs broadcasters.
Claire's decision to quit RTÉ was partly due to management's refusal to budge on her remuneration.
As a result of Director General Kevin Bakhurst's reforms, the presenters' pay had been capped at €250,000.
In addition, Ms Byrne's decision was also influenced by the recent uproar at RTÉ.
"Claire’s decision to move wasn’t purely based on money," a source told Extra.ie at the time.
"That said, she wants to feel valued, so she went and negotiated a far better deal with Newstalk."