Virgin Media TV viewers left in tears after ‘emotional’ final of The Assembly with Ryan Tubridy
Tubs refuses to answer personal question on TV
VIRGIN Media TV viewers were left in tears after the final “emotional” episode of The Assembly.
The station’s groundbreaking new series wrapped up season one last night with a revealing interview with Ryan Tubridy.
The new four-part interview series made up of a group of neurodivergent people who get the chance to ask anything they like to Ireland‘s most famous faces.
The former Late Late Show host left RTE in 2023 after a series of payment scandals within the organisation became public knowledge.
It was revealed that between 2017 and 2022, Ryan was paid €345,000 more than had been previously disclosed.
After facing major scrutiny over the broadcaster scandal, Tubridy moved across the pond to London in 2024 to take a job with Virgin Radio – which he recently stepped down from.
The scandal was of course brought up on last night’s show and Tubs was asked how he dealt with his mental health.
The 52-year-old spoke about how he coped saying: “With difficulty. I adjusted what was important in my life. I was chasing the wrong goal in life.
“So that difficult time, I found the good things from it rather than dwelling on the bad.”
Ryan revealed that he felt supported by the public amid the controversy saying: “I have 2,000 letters in a box at home from the Irish people. My dream is to write back to everyone to say thank you.
“I gave them to some friends of mine to have a look through and they cried. They couldn’t believe how lovely people were.
“I felt let down once or twice by people who probably could have been better at what they did but the people and everywhere I went, were lovely.”
When asked what his career high has been so far, he said: “I loved doing that show. It brought so much joy to people’s lives including my own.”
The dad-of-two was brought to tears when Ella read out a poem, To The West by William Percy French, and he exclaimed: “I’ve never been moved by poetry before.
“I’m going to get that poem and frame it.”
‘I DON’T WANT TO SPOOF’
Courtney, 21, switched up the topic to talk about politics saying: “Your family has ties to Fianna Fail, how do you think about their decision to raise the student fees by another €1,000 while we’re still in a housing crisis and a cost of living crisis.”
Ryan replied: “I don’t know because I’m not a politician and if I was a politician and gave you that answer, you’d have full permission to say, ‘That’s a disgrace’, but I’m not so I don’t know enough about it and I don’t think my opinion really is important.
“I don’t want to spoof you with an answer, I don’t know.”
Philip, 37, wondered if Ryan thought he was neurodivergent himself and he replied: “I could be. It’s not something I’d be worried or embarrassed about.
“I don’t think I’m neurodiverse but I also think people are neurodiverse and some are more neurodiverse than others in different ways. I don’t really like if someone is claiming to be something and going, ‘We’re all the same, we’re all neurodivergent’.
‘BRILLIANT’
“We’re not because some people have different levels. But that’s your call.”
There was one question that Tubs refused to answer and that was a question on his divorce.
He explained: “I never talk about it. And not because… to be rude, because it’s unfair on people.”
When all the interviews were over, Tubs told the panel that it was “one of the most beautiful experiences” of his life, before everyone joined in dancing while one of the panel performed That’s Life by Frank Sinatra.
Virgin Media TV viewers loved the episode and flooded social media with praise for Ryan.
Anne said: “So, so worthwhile. It was great fun, emotional, honest and I loved Percy French’s poem too.”
One viewer commented: “Very funny moment and the interviewer is excellent. I admire Ryan’s activism and sense of social justice. The fact that he’s not afraid to speak up for people who don’t have a voice.”
Maureen remarked: “Lovely show really enjoying it.”
Jane wrote: “Absolutely brilliant! Well done Ryan and all the interview team! Fantastic.”
Another viewer added: “I’m not crying, your crying. It’s heartbreaking to see what they did to him but equally heartwarming to see how the nation rallied to his cause.”
