Comedian to host an Irish TV institution

 Patrick Kielty is to take over as host of long-running Irish talk show The Late Late Show from September. 
 
The comedian from Dundrum, County Down becomes the fourth presenter of the show for its 61^st season. 

Gay Byrne hosted the RTÉ show for 37 years, starting in 1962, followed by Pat Kenny for a decade and Ryan Tubridy for the past four years.

 Kielty said: 'I’m absolutely thrilled to be the next host of The Late Late Show. To follow in the footsteps of Gay, Pat and Ryan as the next custodian is a real honour and I can’t thank RTÉ enough for giving me the chance to be a part of the next chapter of such an iconic show.

'I’m also genuinely humbled to become part of Friday nights for so many Irish people, at home and around the world. I can’t wait to get started on one of the greatest jobs in television.'

 Kielty began his stand-up career as host of Northern Ireland’s first comedy club The Empire Laughs Back in Belfast. Since then, he has become a familiar figure on TV and radio, while continuing to tour as a stand-up.  Later this year, he appears in his first feature film, Ballywalter.
 
Jim Jennings, RTÉ’s director of content said: 'Patrick Kielty is undoubtedly one of Ireland’s finest comedians, a fantastic presenter with a depth of experience, and a range of talents that will bring an exciting new dynamic to the show. 

'Patrick’s personality and passion is sure to connect with audiences and I look forward to it bursting on to screens in September.

'We have very definite ideas for the show already in the works and we’ll be busy behind the scenes shaping the series for launch. We’ll be back in August to tell you all about it.'

Published: 20 May 2023