The Late Late Show Christmas Special is set to air tonight but after that the show will be off air for a few weeks in a festive shake up to the RTE schedule – here’s what’s replacing it
Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty(Image: Instagram/latelaterte)
The Late Late Show will not air for a couple of weeks after it broadcasts its Christmas special on Friday the 12th, with its replacements confirmed.
The long-running RTÉ chat show, hosted by Patrick Kielty, typically airs each Friday night at 9.35pm.
Patrick will be enjoying a well-deserved break from live shows over the Christmas period, with a pre-recorded New Year’s special set to air on December 21st.
The hit chat show will be off air next week and will be replaced by Mrs Brown’s Boys.
The following week, Oppenheimer will be shown in the Late Late Show‘s slot for St Stephen’s Day.
Due to the New Year’s special airing on the 31st, there will not be any Late Late Show on January the 2nd, with movie Ticket to Paradise starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts airing in its place.
The return date will be January 9th.
The special New Year’s edition of the Late Late Show will feature appearances from David Gray, Lyra and the cast of The Traitors Ireland.
Meanwhile, a star-studded lineup of guests are set to join Patrick tonight in the Late Late Show studio.
Irish golfing hero Shane Lowry will join Patrick after a standout year on the course, as he helped secure Team Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph and recently thrilled fans at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
Hollywood star Brendan Fraser will sit down with Patrick to talk about his latest role in the acclaimed film Rental Family. Brendan will also reflect on his Academy Award-winning performance in The Whale and the much-anticipated revival of The Mummy with a legacy sequel currently in the works. He’ll chat about his so-called comeback to Hollywood dubbed the “Brenaissance” and open up about his proud Irish roots.
Much-loved dancer and presenter Oti Mabuse will also be in the studio this Friday night to talk about her exciting new role as head judge on Ireland’s Dancing with the Stars in 2026. Oti will reveal what she is most looking forward to, her first impressions of fellow judges and the qualities she’ll be seeking from this year’s dancers.
She’ll be joined by Eurovision legend Niamh Kavanagh, announced earlier this week as part of the glittering DWTS line‑up, who will chat about the challenge ahead. And in a Late Late exclusive, audiences will be treated to a live surprise as three more dancers are unveiled live on-air, joining Patrick for a chat.
Jason Byrne, Tom Grennan and Brooke Scullion are also set to appear on the Christmas special tonight.