Joe Duffy – the long-running presenter of the RTÉ Radio 1 chat show Liveline – is set to retire after 27 years at the helm of the programme.

"It has been an incredible honour and privilege to be part of a programme that relied entirely on trust – the trust of our listeners," Duffy said to his listeners as he made the surprise announcement this afternoon.

Joe Duffy to hang up his Liveline mic 🎙️ ☎️

“I hope in some small way, we made people feel heard.”

After 37 years in RTÉ and 27 years at the helm of Liveline, Joe confirmed today he’ll retire following his final programme on Friday 27th June.

Joe said: “After 37 wonderful… pic.twitter.com/s7hmMlRyj5

— RTÉ Radio 1 (@RTERadio1) May 8, 2025

"People felt they could pick up the phone, ring Liveline, and share their lives, problems, stories sad, bad, sometimes mad and funny, their struggles, and their victories. I never took that for granted, not for a single minute."

Duffy also added that "after many happy years, I've decided the time has come to move on. I would like to thank you, the listener, for tuning in each and every day – it has been an honour to sit in this seat and hear your stories."

Born in Mountjoy Square, Duffy attended Trinity College Dublin where he became president of the Union of Students in Ireland.

In 1989 he joined RTÉ as a radio producer. After working on various programmes including the Gay Byrne Show, Soundbyte, and The Meaning of Life, Duffy took over Liveline in 1999.

The show has become known for its lively discussions with listeners about everyday affairs.

Under Duffy's leadership, Liveline became a staple of Irish media and now attracts more than 400,000 listeners.