BRYAN DOBSON LOOKING FORWARD TO SPENDING TIME WITH GRANDSON AFTER RETIREMENT IN MAY

Bryan Dobson has spoken about his life as a grandfather as he looks forward to some much-needed family time after his retirement next week.

The popular newscaster, who has been with RTÉ News for over 37 years, is the host of the News at One on RTÉ Radio One. He announced in January that he will be retiring from RTÉ in May and his final show will air on Friday, May 3.

Mr Dobson said he is looking forward to dedicating more of his time to family life with his wife Crea and their grown-up daughters, Sophie and Hannah. ‘My wife is winding down as well,’ he told RSVP Magazine. ‘We have a grandson, so it will be nice to spend more time with him. He is coming up on two-and-a-half.

‘We have two adult daughters and they are both living in Dublin. As I said to one of them, they will be saying: “There’s Dad again. Don’t open the door. Pretend we are not in.”’

Discussing his departure, Mr Dobson added: ‘I will miss the stimulation, the fun and the craic of working in the newsroom. ‘It must be one of the best working environments someone could go to every day. It is always engaging, varied and interesting. With all of these egos, how could it not be?’

During his long career with the national broadcaster, Mr Dobson also presented the Six One News and was a reporter on This Week and other flagship television and radio shows.