BRIAN Dowling has admitted he’s had a “tough” time recently as he fought back the tears in his emotional farewell statement on 98FM.
After more than two years at the helm, Brian called it quits on his radio show.
Brian co-hosted his last show on 98FM[/caption]
Brian had been co-hosting a weekday morning show from 10am to 1pm with Suzanne Kane since March 2023.
However, the pair haven’t hosted the show together in months with Leanne Hanafin replacing Suzanne.
It was the dad-of-two’s last time co-hosting his 98FM show today and emotions were at an all time high in the studio.
Brian got teary-eyed as he signed off saying: “I promised myself I wasn’t going to get upset. You’re tearing up, don’t tear up!
“I have had the best time here for nearly two and a half years. It’s been an absolute blast. It’s been an honour to sit in this chair for the length of time I have.
“I’m sure a lot of people thought, ‘Oh, Brian Dowling got a job – He’ll be in it six weeks and he’ll be gone’. I have given this show absolutely everything.
“I became a dad on this show. I’ve had television success on this show. I’ve had it all on this show.”
Brian has yet to disclose the reasons behind his decision to leave – as has his former co-host Suzanne.
The 46-year-old told listeners: “I can’t lie. It’s been tough recently, but I’ve tried to stay strong.
“I’ve stayed focused. I did my best. I’ve loved doing this. I’ve loved playing the music we’ve been playing.
“I’ve loved coming in every morning and chatting with Gavin and with Pat and with Nick and with Cathal and with Russell.”
Speaking to Leanne, who has filled in for Suzanne for the last four months, Brian said: “Thank you so much for sitting here since February beside me, holding my hand most days.
“This has been like my free therapy. Thank you.”
Leanne praised Brian saying: “It’s been a pleasure. We love you. You brought so much energy, such enthusiasm to what you do.
“I think you’ve proven so many people wrong as well. I think that that is the biggest, biggest thing. And you’re just, you’re a great person.
‘YOU’LL BE MISSED’
“We love spending time with you. All our listeners this morning have been sending in so many texts, so many WhatsApps saying the very same thing about how much you have kept them company over the last two years and how much you will be missed.”
Brian replied: “Listen, I’m lucky enough to meet our listeners on a daily basis. They are the salt of the earth, lovely people. I’ve had a laugh every single day.
“I’ve never taken the job for granted. I’ve appreciated every day. I’ve been sat in front of this mic and I’m being myself and I don’t regret any of it.
“I don’t believe you should have regrets in life.”
The Kildare native revealed that he “took a risk” taking on the job initially as he had never worked on radio prior.
LAST MOMENTS
He explained: “I probably didn’t give myself enough credit. I was like, ‘I’ve signed up for this now. It’s over two years, what are we going to do?’
“But also to anyone, I joined the show when I was like 44 or 45-years-old, – never be afraid to take a risk. Never be afraid to say yes.
“I said yes to something that I couldn’t do. But I was very much like, ‘I’m going to learn how to do it’.”
And while Brian “still hadn’t ever ran the desk”, he was given the privilege of pressing the button “for the last time” as the segment came to a close.
Brian chose Oops!… I Did It Again by Britney Spears to play him out.
He got choked up as he finished off his time on air saying: “You’ve been listening to Brian Dowling on 98FM. I’ll talk to you later.”
Brian said he never took his ‘job for granted’[/caption]
