“Whoever gets that gig is going to be really, really lucky.”
Patrick Kielty is now the bookies’ favourite to replace Ryan Tubridy on The Late Late Show and the comedian finally addressed the rumours he is set to take on the huge presenting gig at the IFTAs last night.
Kielty told reporters that the Late Late is one of the “greatest TV shows on the planet” but that taking over would be incredibly tough.
As reported on Goss.ie, he said:
“Whoever gets that gig is going to be really, really lucky. The one thing people have to remember though, is, how big shoes they are to fill.
“You know, I’ve done a chat show before, I’ve done a live show before, it’s hard. Whenever you’ve been on The Late Late Show as a guest and sat close to Ryan, you see how he does his stuff.”
Meanwhile, as he presented an award at the IFTAs on Sunday night, Kielty told the audience that Derry Girls’ creator Lisa McGee had asked if he was “taking the Late Late”, adding that she joked: “You’d be shite at it, but you should take the Late Late.”
The comedian became the favourite to be the new host of the long-running talk show after broadcasters Claire Byrne and Sarah McInerney confirmed they will not be succeeding Tubridy last week.
Patrick Kielty with his wife Cat Deeley
Byrne stressed that she is happy with her career at the moment and is focusing on her radio show.
She also said she wants to spend time with her young family and taking on a role like the Late Late would be too big of a commitment at this time.
Sarah McInerney also said she is content with her work on Prime Time and RTÉ Drivetime, especially with the election coming up.
She told her followers: “There’s an election coming, maybe next year. Prime Time and Drivetime will be at the centre of RTÉ’s coverage. Like all political nerds. I can’t wait.”
McInerney added: “Ryan Tubridy has done an exceptional job at the helm of The Late Late Show. I’ll really miss him on Friday nights, and I wish his successor the very best of luck.”
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