Patrick Kielty to return as host of The Late Late Show

Patrick Kielty will return to host The Late Late Show this September, RTÉ has announced.

There had been speculation about his future on Ireland's longest-running chat show, but the Irish broadcaster confirmed he will continue as the host until 2028.

Kielty, who is from Dundrum in County Down, said hosting the chat-show is "one of the greatest gigs in the world and the past three years have been a joy and a privilege".

He first stepped into the role in September 2023, succeeding Ryan Tubridy and becoming the fourth permanent presenter of the programme, following Gay Byrne, Pat Kenny and Tubridy.

The show is an Irish institution, having started only months after the 1962 launch of Irish TV.

Kielty started out at a Belfast comedy club, going on to present local shows like BBC NI's PK Tonight, and later, Love Island, This Morning and BBC Radio 4's The News Quiz as well as other comedy and theatre shows.

Among the guests the show welcomed last year included Jessie Buckley, Priscilla Presley, Colin Farrell, Margot Robbie, Coleen Rooney, Aisling Bea, John Bon Jovi, Westlife, Gabriel Byrne, Katie Taylor, and Shane Lowry.

Last season had an average of 385,000 viewers per episode, with a 38.2% share and over 1.46 million streams on RTÉ Player, an increase on the previous year.

On The Late Late Show social media platforms, last season saw 6.8 million engagements, an increase of 53%, and 88.7 million video views, increasing19% on the previous season.

Alan Tyler, RTÉ Group Head of Entertainment and Music said he was "absolutely delighted" Kielty will remain as host for a further three years.

"Under his stewardship we have been able to give a new lease of life to the show, reaching audiences on both traditional and new platforms."

He said the show is "only at the start of a revolution" and with Kielty returning, they are "hugely excited about our plans for forthcoming seasons".

Steve Carson, RTÉ's Director of Video said the figures and social media engagement demonstrate Kielty's "star power and easy connection with audiences young and old".

"The Late Late celebrates its 66th season this year – so many more great editions and guests to look forward to with Paddy at the helm, including the biggest telly night of the year with The Late Late Toy Show."

Kielty added: "The heart of the show will always be our amazing audience and I can't wait to be part of their Friday nights again from this September."

The Late Late Show returns this autumn on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Fridays at 21:35.