by Renee Israel
After five years at the helm of one of Ireland's popular shows, host Ray
D'Arcy announced that he is stepping down due to changes in his personal
circumstances.
The question now remains who will host Rose of Tralee, and Paddy Power
has opened a market in the hope of providing an answer.
The favorite as the future permanent host of Rose of Tralee is Daithi O'Se,
the handsome TG4 weatherman, after he admitted in an interview that presenting
the festival would be a "dream come true".
The Rose of Tralee is a competition held each year in County Kerry in a bid
to crown the "lovely and fair" Rose. The title is awarded based on personality,
and the winner's ability to serve as an ambassador for Ireland abroad.
At the beginning of the month, RTE confirmed that D'Arcy would not be
presenting this year's pageant.
"I really enjoyed my time hosting the Rose of Tralee," said D'Arcy of his
decision. "I met some wonderful people in Kerry. My circumstances have changed,
however, and any time off is very precious. It's a two week holiday with my
family or presenting the show, and my family has to be my priority."
RTE Television said in a statement: "We'd like to pay tribute to Ray's
entertaining and masterly hosting of the show over the past 5 years."
Current odds at UK sportsbetting sites on the next permanent host of the Rose
of Tralee are as follows:
Daithi O'Se 8/11
Aidan Power 9/2
Brian Ormond 8/1
Joe O'Shea 12/1
Derek Mooney 16/1
Matt Cooper 20/1
