Patrick Kielty will return to host The Late Late Show this September, ending months of speculation about his future on Ireland’s longest-running chat show.
RTÉ confirmed this afternoon that the Co Down comedian and television presenter has signed a new three-year deal, allowing for up to 30 shows per season.
He has been confirmed for a fourth season on RTÉ One after his initial three-year contract expired.
Patrick Kielty first stepped into the role in September 2023, succeeding Ryan Tubridy and becoming only the fourth permanent presenter of the programme, following Gay Byrne, Pat Kenny and Tubridy.
Mr Kielty, from Dundrum, Co Down, will now take the show into its 66th season from September.
RTÉ declined to say what Mr Kielty would be paid under the terms of the new contract, instead stating the salary would be published in its annual report.
The station and host had revealed his pay during the first contract was €250,000 per year.
However, he was paid an additional €23,980 across 2024 and 2025 for presenting additional programmes beyond his standard contract.
Mr Kielty was paid a total of €266,323 in 2025 and €257,657 in 2024.
Speaking about the new contract announcement, Mr Kielty said he was delighted to be returning.
“Hosting The Late Late Show is one of the greatest gigs in the world and the past three years have been a joy and a privilege,” he said.
“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.”
RTÉ said the 2025/26 season had an average audience of 385,000 viewers per episode, with a 38.2% share, as well as more than 1.46 million streams on RTÉ Player, up on the previous year.
On The Late Late Show social media platforms, last season saw 20.58 million engagements (an increase of 60%) and 280.32 million video views (an increase of 29% on the previous season).
Host Patrick Kielty, seen here welcoming rock royalty Jon Bon Jovi to The Late Late Show last October
Steve Carson, RTÉ Director of Video, said: “Patrick has made The Late Late truly his own and the figures, not least the incredible engagement on social media, demonstrate his star power and easy connection with audiences young and old.
“There are so many more great editions and guests to look forward to with Paddy at the helm, including the biggest telly night of the year with The Late Late Toy Show.”
Alan Tyler, RTÉ Group Head of Entertainment and Music, said: “Under Patrick’s stewardship, we have been able to give a new lease of life to the show, reaching audiences on both traditional and new platforms.
“The Late Late Show is only at the start of a revolution in that approach and, with Patrick continuing in the hot seat, we are hugely excited about our plans for forthcoming seasons.”
Last season, the world’s longest-running live talk show welcomed guests including Jessie Buckley, Priscilla Presley, Colin Farrell, Margot Robbie, Coleen Rooney, Aisling Bea, Jon Bon Jovi, Westlife, Gabriel Byrne, Katie Taylor and Shane Lowry.
The Late Late Show returns this autumn on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Fridays at 9:35pm.
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Additional Reporting: Press Association