Ryan Tubridy went public with the gorgeous Dr. Clare Kambamettu at the end of 2023, but what exactly do we know about her?
The couple made their red carpet at the Irish Post Awards in London in 2023 with snaps later emerging of Ryan and Clare living it up with Una Healy and Imelda May after he presented an award to Nadine Coyle.
Clare was then seen at a Rose Of Tralee event with Ryan's ex Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin and the couple shook it off at one of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour concerts in Dublin in 2024.
Now that they've announced they're engaged, we did a little investigating to find out who exactly Ryan's other half is...
She's a former Rose of Tralee
Clare competed and won the coveted Newbridge Silver crown at the Rose of Tralee in 2010 when she was 26.
Ryan had previously hosted the competition and dated another Rose, Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, who won the competition in 2005. But he'd stepped aside by the time Clare won.
Clare was the London Rose that year. She was born in Leeds before moving to Athy in Kildare at the age of eight. Clare's unusual surname comes from her Indian-born father and she jokingly would tell people to think 'can of tomatoes' if they struggled with pronunciation.
She has really fond memories of her time as a Rose, telling the Irish Times: 'The festival helped me be more comfortable in social situations. During the year I did so many weird and wonderful things that I can handle any situation I’m walking into now. That’s really valuable in life.'
Clare has openly talked in the past about how winning the Rose of Tralee still comes up. Given the fact that she's held the prestigious crown and has worked as a TV presenter in the past, it seems she has some experience dealing with a bit of media scrutiny.
She's a Senior Clinical Psychologist
Clare has brains to burn that's for sure! She has a B.A. in Psychology and History and H. Dip. in Psychology from NUI Galway. She also completed a Master's in Mental Health specialising in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy at King's College London.
Clare worked for the NHS in the UK for several years after she graduated from King's College, but she returned to NUIG to get her doctorate in Clinical Psychology.
She's worked in lots of different areas of mental health services including child and adolescent services and adult and forensic mental health but currently works as a psychologist in the HSE’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
She worked as a TV presenter
In 2020, Clare was announced as the newest presenter of RTÉ Eco Eye. The programme was fronted by Duncan Stewart and brought to light some serious ecological issues and how they are impacting society.
It was a thought-provoking show that focused on protecting the environment and creating a sustainable future. The last episode was broadcast in 2021.
How Ryan met Clare
Just days before he announced he was stepping down from the Late Late Show, Ryan was joined by Clare as a guest on his RTÉ Radio One programme.
It was March 8, and a picture is still up on site of the pair smiling happily titled: ‘How real is manifesting and is there any real psychological science behind it? Clinical Psychologist Dr Clare Kambamettu talks to Ryan.’
It's not known if this is the first time they ever met, but it's the first time they were photographed together. And Ryan has form in that he and his ex Aoibhinn got together after he asked her out following her appearance on his old show Tubridy Tonight.
Since the radio show, Clare and Ryan have been spotted running close to his home and socialising at popular spots around the RTÉ campus in Dublin 4.
Support through the payments scandal
Clare supported Ryan through the payments scandal- she wasn't the only one, the late Sinéad O'Connor also supported him, offering him a 'safe haven' in London.
Ryan kept a low profile in Connemara when the scandal broke and just days before his future at the national broadcaster was confirmed was seen joking with passers-by outside one of his favourite locations – Sweeney’s pub in Claddaghduff.
Appearances together
Clare and Ryan made their public debut as a couple at the Irish Post Awards in London in 2023 and the duo returned to the event in 2024.
Ryan scooped up the Outstanding Contribution to Broadcasting Award on the night, telling the audience he was 'extremely honoured' to receive it.
He added: '‘It’s been quite the year personally and professionally in a very positive way and this is a most welcome twist in the tale. Thank you to The Irish Post for the warm welcome to London!'
Engagement chatter
Speculation was rife that an engagement announcement was on the cards after Ryan was spotted picking out a diamond ring from a jewellers in Galway.
In a now-deleted post, O'Dalaigh Jewellers in Clifden announced that Ryan had come to them 'discreetly' to find a ring for 'a very special lady.'
He is said to have requested lab diamonds over the conventional mined options because they are environmentally friendly and conflict-free.
Soon after rumours started to swirl, Ryan confirmed that he had indeed popped the question and would be marrying Clare.
'It's a very exciting time to be alive, I'm a very, very lucky man. I think it's one of those beautiful moments where the world feels lighter and there's a beautiful new adventure ahead,' he said on his radio show.
