Byrne to host 'millionaire' show

Gay Byrne will be back in front of the cameras

Veteran broadcaster Gay Byrne is to host the Irish version of the TV hit show Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

Last year, Gay Byrne, 65, stepped down as compere of the Late Late Show, the world's longest-running chat and music programme. The show had been RTE's flagship programme for 36 years.

He also pulled out of a daily radio show on Ireland's state-backed RTE network that had also run for nearly three decades.

Who Wants to be a Millionaire? will be sponsored on RTE by Ireland's Eircell mobile phone company in the biggest deal of its kind in Irish broadcasting history.

Gay Byrne said: "I believe that it does not much matter who does this show.

'Homely atmosphere'

"As a formula show, it's done the same way anywhere, and any sort of competent MC could do it."

He said it would be an "added advantage in Ireland that most people will know most of the contestants".

"There will be a slightly more homely atmosphere about it, I hope."

The Irish version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? will be produced for RTE by Tyrone Productions, the company behind the hit musical, Riverdance.

Cathal Goan, RTE's Director of Television, said: "This hugely popular quiz show will now be available to Irish TV viewers and presented in an Irish context."