Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Start me up!
Comic announces role with Rolling Stones song... He can’t wait to take on Gay, Pat & Tubs ‘iconic’ show
PATRICK KIELTY said it was a “real honour” to take over as host of The Late Late Show after RTE confirmed the news yesterday.
The Co Down comedian and presenter had been hot favourite to succeed Ryan Tubridy as the fourth host of the iconic chat show.
His immiment appointment had been described as “the worst kept secret in showbiz” by RTE insiders before Montrose bosses made the news official on Saturday.
The news ended months of speculation after Ryan Tubridy made the surprise announcement in March that he was leaving the show after 14 years.
Patrick Kielty said: “It’s been so lovely to finally share the news and I’m genuinely overwhelmed by all the messages. To everyone who’s got in touch, I can’t thank you enough.
I’m really looking forward to getting started now - and to changing my number when the requests for The Toy Show tickets start!”
Kielty, 52, had tweeted his reaction just minutes after RTE posted a video of photoshoot with him posing with the Rolling Stones hit Start Me Up playing in the background.
HONOUR
He tweeted: “Posting this before they change their mind! A real honour to follow in the footsteps of Gay, Pat and Ryan. Thanks RTE for the chance to be a part of the next chapter @RTELateLateShow.”
His wife Cat Deeley got in on the action shortly afterwards, sharing his tweet with her legion of followers on Twitter.
She wrote: “It’s a post, about the host, with the most, let’s do a toast @PatrickKielty.”
Patrick said he was “absolutely thrilled” to be the next host of The Late Late Show, which begins its 61st season in the autumn.
He said: “To follow in the footsteps of Gay, Pat and Ryan as the next custodian is a real honour and I can’t thank RTE 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 beocme 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.”
Rumours had been rife that RTE might opt for a double act to present the long running chat show – with Kielty and his wife Cat Deeley at one point tipped to co-host.
But yesterday’s announcement made no reference to a second host for the show first fronted by Gay Byrne six decades ago.
RTE’s director of content Jim Jennings 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.”
He added: “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.”
I’m genuinely humbled to become part of Friday night for so many Irish people
Kielty, from Dundrum in Co Down, began his stand-up career as host of Northern Ireland’s first comedy club The Empire Laughs Back in Belfast.
Since then he’s enjoyed huge success on TV and radio while his live stand-up tours have sold out across Ireland and the UK.
He presented Channel 4’s Last Chance Lottery and Patrick Kielty Almost Live on BBC.
His documentary My Dad, The Peace Deal and Me, about his father’s death at the hands of paramilitary gunmen, was nominated for a BAFTA and at the 2018 Grierson Awards.
Kielty was only 16 when his father Jack Kielty was shot dead by the Ulster Freedom Fighters.
And his most recent film, Patrick Kielty: 100 Years of Union, also won an RTS Award.
His first feature film Ballywalter will be released later this year, with Kielty starring alongside Can’t Cope Won’t Cope star Seana Kerslake.
Kielty was first choice to replace Gay Byrne over 20 years ago when the show’s first and longest-running host quit in 1999.
TALKS
He was offered the job when recommended by Gaybo himself and was in talks with RTE for the gig prior to Pat Kenny landing the post.
RTE is tight-lipped about Kielty’s pay packet but he’s likely to be paid in excess of €200,000 a year to present the primetime Friday night show.
The funnyman is married to fellow TV presenter Cat Deeley and they have two sons, James and Milo.
The couple recently moved back from Los Angeles to the UK.