Co Down comedian Patrick Kielty has been offered the job of The Late Late Show host. A member of his management team, Ms Kelly Lane from the William Morriss agency in London, told The Irish Times: "Yes, it's true, Patrick has been offered the Late Late show job. He is currently studying the offer, along with a number of other offers, and as of yet no official papers have been signed."
An RTE spokeswoman E could not confirm Kielty has been asked to replace Gay Byrne when he retires at the end of this month, but the announcement by Kielty's management team ends much speculation as to who would be offered what is regarded by some as the biggest job in Irish television.
Kielty (29), originally from Dundrum, Co Down, began his show-business career as a stand-up comic at Belfast's Empire comedy club. He soon graduated to hosting his own variety show, PK Tonight on BBC Northern Ireland, and then moved to London where he hosted a humorous quiz show for Channel 4 (Last Chance Lottery) before landing a high-profile job presenting the BBC's UK National Lottery Show, alongside Anthea Turner.
Outside his television work, he still regularly tours as a stand-up act, and his material is notable for scabrous attacks on the sectarian nature of the Northern Irish political system.
When he was aged 17, his father, Mr Jack Kielty, was shot dead by loyalist gunmen. The motive behind the murder was apparently sectarian.
A loyalist paramilitary who was involved in Mr Kielty's murder and had received a life sentence for his part in the crime was released last year under the Belfast Agreement.
By bypassing more obvious contenders for the Late Late job, like Marian Finucane and Gerry Ryan, RTE seems intent on breaking with the past.
The show has now been running for 37 years and its resident host, Gay Byrne, bows out on May 21st.
If Kielty accepts the job offer, he will begin next September.
