Patrick Kielty to host RTE’s The Late Late Show as Ryan Tubridy steps down
atrick Kielty will host RTE’s The Late Late Show after Ryan Tubridy steps down from the position on the finish of the present sequence, the broadcaster has introduced.
Earlier this yr, Tubridy mentioned it was a “privilege to host the national institution” because it was confirmed he can be departing the present following 14 years on the helm.
Northern Ireland comic and presenter Kielty, 52, will turn into the fourth host of the long-running present for its 61st season subsequent September.
Kielty mentioned: “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 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 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.”
Born in Dundrum, County Down, Kielty started his stand-up profession as host of Northern Ireland’s first comedy membership, The Empire Laughs Back, in pre-ceasefire Belfast.
He later went on to current Channel 4 gameshow Last Chance Lottery and his personal BBC One chat present, Patrick Kielty Almost Live.
Kielty can also be recognized for tackling troublesome matters inside Northern Ireland’s previous, notably in his Bafta-nominated BBC programme, My Dad, The Peace Deal And Me, about his father’s demise by the hands of paramilitary gunmen.
The comic was solely 16 when his father Jack Kielty was shot useless by the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF).
The programme coincided with the twentieth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and noticed Kielty return to his hometown of Dundrum and journey round to see if the historic peace deal has delivered on its pledge to create a brand new Northern Ireland.
Alongside his TV work, he has continued his stand-up excursions and went again on the highway final yr along with his present Borderline which explores his homeland’s latest historical past and gave his private tackle Brexit’s new borders, nationwide identification and the way forward for the Union.
He additionally hosts a radio discuss present on Saturday mornings for BBC 5Live.
Jim Jennings, RTE’s director of content material, added: “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.”
Tubridy may also step down from internet hosting The Late Late Toy Show which raised tens of millions of euros for youngsters’s charities throughout the island of Ireland.
However, he’ll proceed to current his radio present on weekday mornings.