Ciara Kelly Shares Daughter’s Reaction to Tommy Fleming Coming Out Interview

Newstalk presenter Ciara Kelly has detailed the public reaction to an interview with country singer Tommy Fleming, who used the platform to come out as gay. The broadcast became the most-listened-to podcast in the station’s history and led to Kelly’s daughter being recognized by patrons at a Dublin gay club, according to RSVP.

Kelly told RSVP that her daughter was visiting a club called Mother the Saturday night following the interview. While at the venue, young people approached her to ask if she was Ciara Kelly’s daughter. Kelly noted that her daughter found the attention unusual as she does not typically get recognized in public.

Tommy Fleming’s decision to come out on Newstalk

The interview was arranged after Fleming’s representatives contacted Kelly to share his story. According to RSVP, Fleming wanted to address the situation because information about his sexuality was already spreading online in an unseemly manner. He determined that remaining silent was no longer a viable option.

Kelly stated she was mindful of the sensitivities surrounding the reveal, noting that Fleming had experienced a difficult time and that there was significant hurt within his family. She told RSVP that she intentionally limited her own presence in the interview to allow Fleming to tell his story in a sensitive manner.

Audience response and listener impact

The broadcast triggered a massive response across Irish media, appearing on the front pages of national newspapers and being covered by RTÉ radio shows, RSVP reports. Newstalk received hundreds of text messages from listeners on the day of the broadcast.

Kelly described the majority of the feedback as supportive. She told RSVP that many listeners expressed an understanding of the sadness and complexity involved in Fleming’s experience. The station also heard from older gay men, some of whom remain in the closet or came out later in life, who shared the burdens they had faced.

Ciara Kelly’s broadcasting and personal background

Kelly transitioned into full-time media in 2017 after leaving a career in medicine. She currently serves as the presenter of the Newstalk Breakfast show. In her discussion with RSVP, she highlighted her role as a mother to her four children—Oisín, Ella, Milo, and Blaise—as a primary joy in her life.