DONE OR DEAL 

Patrick Kielty’s Late Late Show future remains unclear as RTE host signs off season finale without mentioning contact

PATRICK Kielty’s future as the host of the Late Late Show remains unclear as the Irish comic finished the final show under his current contract.

And the Co Down host signed off the season finale without hinting at whether fans would see him back leading the show.

The Irish comic, who has been the face of RTE’s flagship show for three years, has yet to confirm if a new deal will be agreed.

And speculation will continue to mount as Patrick failed to address the elephant in the room on tonight’s show.

Signing off on the show, the funnyman failed to tell fans if he would return, nor did he offer any emotional goodbyes.

At the end of the episode, Patrick told viewers: “That is it from us for tonight, and for the season.

“We hope you have a fab summer. This has been The Late Late Show, I’ve been Patrick Kielty, goodnight.”

The Late Late Show star then handed it over to Westlife to close out the season finale, which they did with a performance of If I Let You Go.

The host also didn’t have the opportunity to address his future in an opening monologue – as tonight’s show kicked off with a Garron Noone rendition of Westlife’s When You’re Looking Like That.

The comedian’s acoustic version of the song got a surprise twist when he was joined in studio by Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne.

And prior to the show fans urged the host to return for a fourth season, as they replied to an Instagram post by the Late Late Show team on a “day in the life” with Patrick.

One fan said: “Hope you stay with the LLS for many years as you own it now.”

Another said: “You are an absolute tonic Patrick Kielty, keep being you.”

Montrose chiefs are privately believed to want him to stay on — but RTE have repeatedly declined to comment on its relationship with the host.

If Patrick fails to return to The Late Late, it will be the shortest reign by a permanent host ever.

Previous host Ryan Tubridy was in the chair for 14 years, predecessor Pat Kenny lasted ten years, and initial host Gay Byrne was in the job for 37 years.

Earlier this year, the Irish Sun revealed RTE had to abandon plans to do filming for the Toy Show 2026 in the UK, as Patrick refused to take part given he had no contract for a new season.

This was denied by RTE boss Alan Tyler, who is the Group Head of Entertainment.

Last December, during a Toy Show Press preview, Patrick first revealed he had yet to agree a new contract with RTE.

And the dad of two hinted that he was prepared to walk, telling us: “Nothing lasts forever.

“I’ve been lucky to host it for three years. With this gig you are always the lighthouse keeper.

“There were people here before me, there will be people here after me, so who knows what the future brings?”

Contacted for comment, an RTE spokeswoman said it “does not comment on individual contracts”.

They added: “We look forward to the programme returning for its 65th year in the autumn.”

Source: https://www.thesun.ie/news/16902665/patrick-kielty-late-late-show-future-rte-contract/