FORMER RTE star Joe Duffy has swapped the airwaves for aisles in a new role just one week after leaving Liveline.
The legendary host, who confirmed his shock departure after 37 years at the start of last month, bid a final farewell to beloved listeners last week.
The former RTE star has now taken on a new role[/caption]
Duffy appeared in a Lidl ad[/caption]
His final show was filled with friends, fans and unforgettable past callers sharing their fond memories and praising Joe for being the “voice of the people”.
But just one week after hanging up his mic – Joe is back.
This time he’s fronting a brand new campaign with supermarket giant Lidl.
Lidl Ireland dropped a sponsored video today with the broadcaster playing a central role in the funny clip.
Dressed in a suit and hat, Joe was disguised as a private detective as he wandered through the shop’s aisles.
As he stepped into Lidl, the title, ‘Value Beyond Belief – Episode 1’, appeared on the screen.
The familiar voice then narrated the video, saying: “I promised myself I was out. No more talk, no more questions. Just an average Joe. But questions – they don’t take no for an answer.”
One shocked shopper exiting the store could then be heard asking: “Is that Joe Duffy?”
In a playful nod to his days championing consumer concerns, Joe explained he’d “received an anonymous tip from a Ballinasloe woman named Margaret Mary O’Brien” and felt he had to take the case.
The ad closed on a cliffhanger, teasing: “To be continued…”
Meanwhile, Duffy has officially ended speculation and ruled himself out of the running to become President.
The former Liveline host, who had been touted as a possible candidate, said he had not been approached by a party to run following his final show.
He put the matter to bed and said: “Thanks, but to be absolutely clear I am NOT seeking a nomination from any politicians, local or national, for the office of President.
“I will not be adding anything further.”
OFF AIR
During Duffy’s final Liveline show, Taoiseach Micheál Martin came on air and gave a tear-jerking tribute saying: “I just want to take the opportunity to thank you sincerely.
“You were and are the voice of the people. You’re authentic and give the people a platform. I think you never left your roots, your working class background stood to you. The values your parents gave to you.
“And on a personal level, going back to my student days, where you taught me a few things when I was a student activist.”
Joe interrupted the politician’s speech and joked: “You forgot them quick enough now.”
Martin told Joe he has touched his family and his “personal acts of kindness” have been “quite extraordinary”.
He spoke about how Joe took photos of Martin holding his daughter Léana during a crab-fishing day out in Cork and Joe sent them to him after Léana’s death, aged 7, in 2010.
Martin said: “That’s something Mary and I have always treasured.”
