Aoibhinn and Ryan have split after four years

Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabhain and Ryan Tubridy have announced that they are no longer an item

Kirsty Blake Knox

Broadcaster Ryan Tubridy and Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabhain have ended their four-year relationship but are determined to "remain friends".

Celebrity agent Noel Kelly, who represents both Ni Shuilleabhain (31) and Tubridy (41), issued a statement yesterday confirming the couple were no longer an item.

"Aoibhinn and Ryan are no longer together," it read.

"They will remain friends and ask for privacy at this time. There will be no further comment on this personal matter."

Tubridy first met Ni Shuilleabhain when she appeared as a guest on chat show 'Tubridy Tonight' to discuss Seachtain na Gailege.

Tubridy asked Ni Shuilleabhain out in the RTE green room later that evening after a few stiff drinks.

"I needed them," he said. "As she was very pretty and beyond smart and extraordinarily intelligent, and happily, she said yes."

Since then their relationship appeared to go from strength to strength.

In November 2013, the couple moved in to a €1.25m period house in Monkstown previously owned by Amanda Pratt of Avoca Handweavers.

However, when asked last month if he would consider proposing to Ni Shuilleabhain over the Christmas holidays, Tubridy replied; "No, I'm not answering that. Goodnight and good luck."

Tubridy has two daughters from his marriage to RTE producer Ann Marie Power.

According to an RTE spokesperson, Tubridy will continue to host his 2fm radio show next week before "relaxing and enjoying the holidays".

This week, 2fm boss Dan Healy said the arrival of Ray D'Arcy on Radio One will have a hugely positive impact on Tubridy's ratings.

"For us at 9am it's absolutely an enormous opportunity," he said.

"It's a smart decision for RTE. Ray's arrival is massive."

Earlier this week, Ni Shuilleabhain was awarded a PhD in Maths from Trinity College Dublin.