Yesterday poor Alson Curtis kicked off what used to be The Ray D'Arcy show with the words "Please don't read too much into this song, we just like it!" as Taylor Swift's 'Shake It Off' was the first track of the show. And then she had the arduous task of covering the morning's papers - most of which led with D'Arcy's impromptu departure from Today FM for RTE.
As a career choice, it makes perfect sense. It's a later time slot so he's not up at dawn's crack. RTE is where his career effectively started, so - to quote the man himself - "it's a bit like coming home." Also, as he's following Joe Duffy, it's a good fit for crossover listeners. As for whether Ray's listeners (of which I was one and currently at a total loss as to what to do with myself between 9am-12pm) will move with him, I'm not sure...
Presumably most listeners are currently feeling a bit abandoned and bemused. No goodbye, no fond farewell, no thanks for all the memories. AND just before Christmas. Ray certainly went out with a bang with The Best of Ireland Awards on Friday, but we would've appreciated it all the more if we knew it was the last Ray D'Arcy Show ever. Personally speaking, I'll be waiting to see whatToday FM come up with as a replacement in January; there's a good 40 years left in me before the dial/dust is set to RTE Radio 1.
And Twitter was all a-flutter with the news of his move….
Message to #RayDarcy: Don't assume you can waltz back into #RTE & hang out with me & the other cool guys - Ryle & Dobbo. Try Ronan Collins
— Des Cahill (@sportsdes) December 7, 2014
I'd finish #raydarcy Radio 1 career if I told everyone what he did with Santa's Elves when we were filming our Den Xmas specials in Lapland.
— Dustin The Turkey (@DustinOfficial) December 7, 2014
I'd finish #raydarcy Radio 1 career if I told everyone what he did with Santa's Elves when we were filming our Den Xmas specials in Lapland.
— Dustin The Turkey (@DustinOfficial) December 7, 2014
Advertised
Bye.......... #raydarcy #RayDarcyShow pic.twitter.com/tosM3jVWPs
— Mary Anne S (@maryannestokes) December 8, 2014
So #raydarcy leaves TodayFM? Not even a goodbye to the listeners of his show? Not impressed with that to be honest!
— Michael Staunton (@mdsrally1) December 7, 2014
But what's to stop us having our own Best Bits, hah? Let's just take a minute to remember all the Shave or Dye events, all the moments he reunited people with first loves, engagement rings and lost toy monkeys. That time he got naked for Spencer Tunick and all the times he made no bones about saying exactly what we we thinking regarding the state of the nation, no matter how controversial. And all the times we laughed together and cried together (not even taking the proverbial - I'm distraught. It's like he crawled out of the bathroom window in the middle of the night after a 15 year relationship).
The pinnacle of all his work to date, however, seemed to culminate with Ray D'Arcy's Half Million Half Marathon, which took place back in April of this year. It was possibly the most magical event ever to take place in the Phoenix Park. The atmosphere, the fact so much money (in the region of 6000,000) had been raised for Laura Lynn powered by people's feet and good will was one of the most uplifting experiences I've ever had the privilege to witness.
There's not much more to say apart from all the best with the future, Ray, you've played an absolute blinder.
So tell us, will you miss Ray? What was your Best Bit? Or are you looking forward to hearing a shake up to the morning routine?
