Patrick Kielty will continue as the host of The Late Late Show starting this September, as confirmed by RTÉ on July 7, 2026. The popular Irish broadcaster announced that Kielty, who took over the role in September 2023, will remain until 2028, alleviating speculation about his future on Ireland's longest-running chat show.
Kielty expressed his excitement, stating, "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 succeeded Ryan Tubridy as the fourth permanent presenter of the show, which has been a staple of Irish television since its inception shortly after Irish TV launched in 1962.
Patrick Kielty's Impact on The Late Late Show
Since taking the helm, Kielty has revitalized The Late Late Show, drawing in an average of 385,000 viewers per episode with a 38.2% share. The show also garnered over 1.46 million streams on RTÉ Player, reflecting a significant increase from the previous season.
Last season, the show's social media platforms recorded 6.8 million engagements, a remarkable 53% increase, along with 88.7 million video views, marking a 19% rise. These figures highlight Kielty's ability to connect with audiences across various platforms.
Plans for Upcoming Seasons
Alan Tyler, RTÉ Group Head of Entertainment and Music, expressed delight at Kielty's continuation as host, stating, "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 emphasized that the show is "only at the start of a revolution" with exciting plans ahead.
Steve Carson, RTÉ's Director of Video, attributed the show's success to Kielty's "star power and easy connection with audiences young and old." He noted that this season marks the 66th season of the show, promising many more great editions and guests.
Returning to the Audience
Kielty stated, "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 will return on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Fridays at 21:35, including the much-anticipated The Late Late Toy Show, described as the "biggest telly night of the year."
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by BBC Entertainment. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
