RTÉ has extended its contract with Patrick Kielty, who will continue to present The Late Late Show until 2028. The new three-year deal allows for up to 30 shows per season, and Kielty will return for the show's 66th season from September 2025.
Kielty's Statement on the Extension
In a statement released through RTÉ, Kielty said: "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 added: "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."
Viewership and Streaming Numbers
RTÉ reported that the 2025/2026 season averaged 385,000 viewers per episode, with a 38.2% share and more than 1.46 million streams on its streaming player—an increase on the previous year. Steve Carson, RTÉ’s director of video, praised Kielty's impact: "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."
Salary Details
Kielty's initial contract paid him 250,000 euro per year. However, additional payments of 23,980 euro across 2024 and 2025 were made for presenting extra programmes beyond his standard contract. He was paid 266,323 euro in 2025 and 257,657 euro in 2024. RTÉ stated that the extra payments were required for presenting "some additional programmes beyond his standard contract." Director-general Kevin Bakhurst clarified that these were for "exceptional" episodes like a Christmas special.
Personal Background
Kielty announced his separation from British TV presenter Cat Deeley, who hosts This Morning on ITV, last year.
