Irish broadcaster Gay Byrne has confirmed he will not run as a candidate in October's presidential election, saying he does not believe he is what the Irish people are looking for in a president.
Despite receiving the backing of Fianna Fáil, who called him "an excellent candidate" to stand as an independent, Byrne said the office was not for him. The former Late Late Show presenter said he had informed party leader Micheál Martin about his decision, adding he did not "have the stomach" for an election campaign.
The 77-year-old also accused the media of pestering him to make a decision about the race over the past week since his name was mentioned as a potential candidate in the race for Áras an Uachtaráin.
"I completely accept the campaign process is the campaign process and I completely accept this is the silly season, and newspapers and media are looking for some kind of story, but I really felt that I was in the middle of a firestorm," he said.
"The people that are going forward are obviously people who really want to be president of Ireland. That is a worthy and noble objective, but they have obviously put a great deal of thought into it and they know about it.
"It was a totally and completely new concept for me because, in truth, I had never dreamed about being president. I never thought about it, it never occurred to me and it never came up on my long-range radar."
Byrne said after he decided against running, he had phoned Mr. Martin "out of courtesy" to the Fianna Fáil leader.
"I don't know whether the man was disappointed or not, but he simply said 'That is your decision and that's fine and thank you very much indeed.'"
In the wake of the announcement, Fianna Fáil issued a statement saying it respected the broadcaster's decision to rule himself out of the race and added a party sub-committee had been established to make recommendations in advance of a decision on its presidential strategy that will be made in early September.
Meanwhile, another Irish broadcaster has said he will make a decision later this week on whether he will throw his hat into the ring in the race for the presidency.
GAA commentator Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh said he would consult his family over the next few days before deciding.
The Kerryman, who turns 81 next week, said his age would not be an issue and revealed that he has been encouraged by a groundswell of support among sports fans.
"I have not decided so far, but I certainly will before the end of next week," he said.
"I never set out to be anything in the political sphere, but there had been the odd reference over the last couple of years that I would be suitable. But what really has got to me is the vast surge of support among people."
