Apparently, there was an "extensive and competitive recruitment process which was managed by the RTÉ Board".

RTÉ Chairperson Siún Ní Raghailligh said he  was the unanimous choice.

Kev beganh is media career with the BBC, where his roles included editing the BBC Ten O'Clock news, then rising to controller of the much-missed News Channel.

In 2012, he was appointed Managing Director of News and Current affairs at RTÉ. He remained in that position until 2016, and also served as Deputy Director General.

At the weekend, David McRedmond, who at one time ran TV3, broke cover on his candidacy. Leaks of a board meeting called to rubber stamp the Bakhurst appointment said several board members were reluctant and were surprised at the early dismissal of Mr McRedmond in the interview process.

Mr McRedmond said the ongoing speculation about the role was “damaging to RTÉ, to An Post and to those involved”.