Broadcaster Ryan Tubridy’s production company, Tuttle Productions Ltd, has deferred filing its annual abridged financial accounts amid the ongoing controversy surrounding payments made to the firm by RTÉ. The company was originally scheduled to file accounts for the 12 months ending in December, but it has now informed the Companies Registration Office (CRO) that the new return date for the financial accounts is September 30. Previously, the company’s annual return date was May 31. Ryan Tubridy, the former presenter of The Late Late Show, signed the document as company secretary on July 20, notifying the CRO of the change.
Ryan Tubridy is currently off air for “editorial reasons” due to the controversy surrounding the undisclosed payments made to his company by RTÉ. RTÉ Director-General Kevin Bakhurst recently met with Tubridy, and the broadcaster stated that they had a “good, open, and constructive conversation” and plan to meet again in a few weeks.
During his appearance before the Dáil Public Accounts Committee (PAC) earlier this month, Tubridy acknowledged that the amount of money involved was significant, but insisted that it had not changed him as a person. However, the recent annual filings by Tuttle Productions Ltd provide little insight into Tubridy’s personal wealth or any additional payments received by the company in recent years. As a small company, Tuttle Productions is not required to disclose its revenues. The most recent accounts show a modest profit of €13,629 in 2021, following a loss of €66,736 in 2020. The accounts do not disclose the amount Tubridy receives from the company in terms of salary or dividend.
The last time Tubridy disclosed directors’ pay for Tuttle Productions was in 2017, reporting €473,138 for the 16 months ending in December 2016. It is worth noting that several other high-profile presenters also do not reveal directors’ pay in their own company accounts. As of December 2021, Tuttle Productions had net assets of €24,117. The company’s current assets, consisting of cash and money owed by debtors, amounted to €75,882, offset by €69,532 owed to creditors.
Tubridy has expressed a strong desire to return to his presenting job on Radio One, stating during his appearance before the PAC that he wants to “go back to work on the radio as soon as possible.” He emphasized that it is his profession and all he has. Tubridy maintained that he was “dragged into a mess” and that his reputation has been “desperately sullied” by the ongoing payments controversy at RTÉ. He expressed deep upset and hurt, admitting that it has been difficult for him to leave the house.
In relation to a controversial commercial deal with Renault, Tubridy has indicated that he is willing to pay back €150,000 for events that never took place over a two-year period. RTÉ had underwritten the deal and paid Tubridy through a barter account. The broadcaster’s willingness to repay the money demonstrates his commitment to resolving the issue.
In other news, on this day in history, July 21st…