‘I didn’t think I’d be doing it all these years later’ – Kathryn Thomas on Ireland’s ‘affinity’ for Operation Transformation

Kathryn Thomas pictured at The Platinum VIP Style Awards 2024 at The Intercontinental Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin. Photo: Brian McEvoy.

Adrianna Wrona

Kathryn Thomas has admitted she didn’t think she’d be still working on Operation Transformation after 13 years of hosting the show.

Ms Thomas said Irish people have “an affinity” for RTÉ’s show and

"What a series that was and I think it was a different direction that the programme went in,” she told the Irish Independent.

“What a series 13 years later, and 17 years the series has been on – I think Irish people have an affinity for it. I didn't think all of these years later that I'd still be doing it,” she said.

Ms Thomas (45) hailed one of the Operation Transformation leaders Anne Cushen as “amazing”.

The Carlow native also said she “loved” co-hosting Rose of Tralee alongside Dáithí Ó Sé last year.

“I so loved working with Dáithí, so loved doing the show – trying to bring a female angle to it as well, which was so important to me,” she said.

“You get 32 women, line them all up and you just go: ‘Why are you doing the show?’ And they give you all of the reasons: ‘I want to travel, I want to network, I want to connect with my Irish girlfriends’.

“And the camaraderie on stage. So what I wanted to do was just bring a little bit of that out, which I hope I did.

"And if I'm asked to do it again, it would be to bring it to the next level again.

“I've known Dáithí for so long, so to be able to have that bit of craic on stage was great,” she said.

She also spoke of her two daughters Ellie (6) and Grace (2), who are doing “good”.

"I honestly don't know what I'm more excited about – being here for the awards or actually having a lie-in in the morning.

"That's like a style tip number one when you’re getting ready – get rid of your children!” she said on the red carpet of the Platinum VIP Style Awards.