This is a great vindication for me. 24 years ago to the very day I was on a special train from Cork to Dublin carrying Dublin supporters back from the National Football League final. After finishing discussing why Tommy (Tom) Carrâs Dublin were so shit, myself and me oulâ fella were discussing who would replace Gay Byrne as host of the Late Late Show with the middle aged woman and her son sitting opposite me in the four seater/table arrangement. She thought Gerry Ryan would be a good choice. As I leisurely and as non-threateningly as possible sipped on a can of Fosterâs, I suggested two names. One was John Kelly. âJohn Kelly is very goodâ, said she. The other was Patrick Kielty.
âDid ya ever see that PK Tonight on BBC he did a few years ago? It was deadly.â She hadnât seen it. Me oulâ fella had never heard of this Kielty fella.
I explained to them that he was a very funny comedian from Down who was the goalkeeper on the Down minor team that won the All-Ireland in 1987 and whose oulâ fella had been murdered by Loyalists during the Troubles.
I regaled them of the tale of how when Kielty did a gig in Crossmaglen, he asked who the big football team there was, was told âRangersâ, and then he belted out God Save The Queen, and was run out of the place.
By the time we reached Heuston Station we had all agreed. This Patrick Kielty fella was the man for the job.
The Spurs job actually came to mind earlier when I saw this thread.
Kielty is a bit like Antonio Conte. High quality in the right circumstances, should probably have been approached before but pressure now dictates that RTE are forced to go for him, whatever the cost. And like what happened with Conte, it could all end it tears.
Thatâs true, and what Tubs had on a Saturday night wasnât far off the LLS. But TT is completely different. Plus TT would be as likely to tell someone to fuck off as he would ask a good question. His format is perfect for him.
Hosting the BBC Radio 5 Live afternoon show on 28 October 2020 he talked of his relationship with Deeley saying, âfirst find a woman out of your league and then convince her she isnâtâ.
I am not sure where Kielty lives (I would imagine he is UK based with his missus) so I see the Late Late undergoing a big change - it may not be live other than The Toy Show.
I think I first saw Kielty present a âyoung personâ Saturday morning TV show on UTV in the early 1990s. He was annoying enough but heâs all the tools to be a very good LLS presenter. Will he have a say in the guests
The absolute goddess that is Cat Deeley coming to live in Dublin would be the most exciting thing to have happened in Dublin since the Pillar was blown up.