"I hate to go, but I'm afraid I have to leave. So thank you, and goodnight." Bryan Dobson signs off Six One. https://t.co/j554wS8fDm pic.twitter.com/tu9plhUVoO — RTÉ News (@rtenews) October 25, 2017

Updated 7.50pm

BROADCASTER BRYAN DOBSON co-presented RTÉ’s Six One News for the final time this evening, before his move to RTÉ Radio.

After an emotional tribute from his co-anchor Sharon Ní Bheoláin, and a highlights reel showing the pivotal moments in recent Irish and world history that Dobson covered over the years, he said that “it’s been a blast”.

I hate to go, but I’m afraid I have to leave. So thank you, and goodnight.

https://www.facebook.com/rtenews/videos/1851964174832576/

His colleague Sharon Ní Bheoláin took a moment at the end of tonight’s broadcast to pay tribute to her friend ‘Dobbo’ – getting a little bit teary in the process.

You’ve been a rock to us, figuratively and literally… I not going to look at you now because I know I’m going to get all teary. From my point of view, you’ve been a great friend and mentor and I’m sure the whole country joins me this evening in wishing you the very best.

After 21 years presenting RTÉ’s Six One News, Dobson will join the team of presenters on RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland on 1 November.

In addition to presenting Morning Ireland, Dobson will continue to be a presenter for RTÉ’s television coverage of special state events, such as the upcoming Budget 2018.

Dobson joined RTÉ in 1987 as a reporter with RTÉ Radio One’s This Week programme. Later that year, he was appointed RTÉ’s business correspondent, as well as presenting the television business programme Marketplace.

In 1991, he became a presenter of RTÉ’s One O’Clock News and later moved to present the Nine News programme before being appointed anchor of the Six One News in 1996.

Speaking about the move in recent weeks, Dobson said:

“I will greatly miss Six One News, but there comes a time to move on and grasp new opportunities. I am hugely looking forward to joining the Morning Ireland team and playing my part in serving our listeners.

Over many years presenting Six One News, it has been a privilege to work alongside so many talented and committed colleagues to deliver accurate, relevant and engaging news to our large audience.

“I thank our viewers for their loyalty and my colleagues for their professionalism and cheerfulness.”

The announcement of a new presenter for the Six One News is expected to be made shortly.

Dobson will join co-presenters Rachael English, Dr Gavin Jennings and Audrey Carville as a main anchor of the RTÉ Radio One programme.

With reporting from Sean Murray, Valerie Loftus