Patrick Kielty will continue to host RTÉ's The Late Late Show through 2028, the broadcaster announced. Speculation had surrounded the future of the Dundrum-born presenter, but RTÉ confirmed he will remain as host of Ireland's longest-running chat show.
Kielty described hosting the program as "one of the greatest gigs in the world," expressing that the past three years have been "a joy and a privilege."
He took over the role in September 2023, becoming the fourth permanent presenter in the show's history, succeeding Ryan Tubridy. The program, considered an Irish institution, began airing just months after the launch of Irish television in 1962.
Kielty's career began at a Belfast comedy club, leading to various presenting roles, including BBC NI's PK Tonight, Love Island, This Morning, and BBC Radio 4's The News Quiz. He has also hosted other comedy and theatre shows.
Last season, The Late Late Show featured guests such as Jessie Buckley, Priscilla Presley, Colin Farrell, Margot Robbie, Coleen Rooney, Aisling Bea, Jon Bon Jovi, Westlife, Gabriel Byrne, Katie Taylor, and Shane Lowry. The season averaged 385,000 viewers per episode, capturing a 38.2% audience share. The show also garnered over 1.46 million streams on RTÉ Player, an increase from the previous year. On social media platforms, The Late Late Show saw 6.8 million engagements last season, a 53% increase, and 88.7 million video views, up 19% from the prior season.