Celebrity financial adviser Eddie Hobbs has turned down the chance to join Eamon Dunphy and front his own show as part of a major revamp of Newstalk radio station.

Veteran broadcaster Dunphy is to return to Newstalk and go head to head with Marian Finucane on Sunday mornings in what will be a keenly anticipated battle between two of radio's heavyweights.

Station management also approached Eddie Hobbs as part of its plan to beef up the weekend schedule only to be rebuffed by the Cork native.

Hobbs was offered a current affairs show in recent weeks but decided that it was not for him.

"Eddie was approached a few weeks ago and it was put to him that it wouldn't be a business show or anything that focused too much on the economy, but instead it would be heavily news-based. Although he loves the thought of presenting a radio show, he turned the offer down" said a source.

When contacted, Hobbs declined to comment except to say: "It is best at this stage to say nothing at all about this."

The station is looking to shake up the weekend schedule by offering programmes to well-known names, though presenters say they are
in the dark about the
developments, with many said to be worried about their future.

One said: "At this stage, no name would surprise me when it comes to who the bosses are trying to get in. We are never really aware of who they are thinking of bringing in, and most of us were not aware that Eddie Hobbs and Eamon Dunphy were offered their own shows until we got calls about it or read about it."

Eamon Dunphy left Newstalk in 2006, claiming his job as presenter of the breakfast show had become too time-consuming and was affecting other projects. He later went on to work with RTE Radio One.

Speaking this weekend about his surprise return he said: "I love radio, I've always loved it. I think it's a brilliant medium. I'm very happy to get this opportunity".

The format of the show will be similar to Marian Finucane on RTE Radio One, with the host and guests reviewing the week's events.

"We'll be getting good guests for an intelligent, irreverent show with a sense of humour", Dunphy added.