A LATE GREAT SEASON
Kielty tells audience that first year ‘literally’ flew by
PATRICK Kielty hosted his final Late Late Show of the season on Friday night after 30 shows – declaring it’s “flown” since he took the helm last September.
The Co Down comedian and TV presenter took over after Ryan Tubridy left last year, and didn’t take long to get into his stride.
The funnyman, who is married to This Morning host Cat Deeley, took to the stage as his band played the instrumental to The Final Countdown.
He said: “It’s so great to see you all on what is a really special night for me because as some of you may know, it is of course my last show…”
Cheers
This prompted a raucous cheer from the crowd, who held party poppers, while balloons were released from the ceiling. The song celebrations also began playing during the gag.
Kielty quipped: “It’s my last show of the series … what are you doing? I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be back in September. How very rude, that wasn’t rehearsed at all.” He added: “What a first season it’s been folks. It literally has flown honestly. It feels just like yesterday since I first walked out onto this stage with a little bit of pee running down my leg with abs o lutely no idea what the hell I was supposed to be doing.
“And suddenly here we are, nine months later with a little bit of pee running down my leg and absolutely no idea what the hell I’m supposed to be doing.”
He praised Bambie Thug for reaching the finals of the Eurovision. Riverdance’s Michael Flatley was Kielty’s first guest last night and was joined by Matt Molloy from The Chieftains.
PATRICK Kielty hosted his final Late Late Show of the season last night after 30 shows in the hotseat of the iconic RTE show.
We take a look back at some of his best and worst moments as its host since taking over from Ryan Tubridy.
His first show, where he poked fun at the RTE payments controversy, started the season off strong as 833,000 people watched his debut as host on September 15. A peak audience of 934,000 was recorded.
Kielty’s guests on the opening night included Tommy Tiernan, former Irish President Mary McAleese, footballer James McClean and The 2 Johnnies. His first Toy Show, described as another “dream come true”, saw 1,575,800 people tuning in to the show, based on the movie Elf, on November 24.
Michelle O’Neill, the North’s First Minister and Sinn Fein’s vicepresident appeared on the Late Late Show for the first time and promised “to give it my all” in the top job. Eight-year-old Stevie Mulrooney melted the nation’s hearts when he belted out Ireland’s Call on the Late Late Toy Show. Surprise rugby guests Peter O’Mahoney and Bundee Aki gave him a signed Ireland jersey. He was then invited by forward Josh Van Der Flier to sing the anthem at the Aviva for Ireland’s Six Nations game against Italy.
Seven-year-old Sheamie from Co Clare was going on 70 and his mullet was as iconic as his quips with Kielty were sharp. Belfast rappers Kneecap drew applause from the audience two minutes into their interview with Kielty when DJ Provai unzipped his jacket to reveal a pro-Palestinian jersey.