Start me up!

Comic announces role with Rolling Stones song... | He can’t wait to take on Gay, Pat & Tubs ‘iconic’ show

- SYLVIA POWNALL

PATRICK KIELTY said it was a “real honour” to take over as host of The Late Late Show after RTE confirmed the news yesterday. 

The Co Down comedian and presenter had been hot favourite to succeed Ryan Tubridy as the fourth host of the iconic chat show.

His immiment appointment had been described as “the worst kept secret in showbiz” by RTE insiders before Montrose bosses made the news official on Saturday.

The news ended months of speculation after Ryan Tubridy made the surprise announcement in March that he was leaving the show after 14 years.

Patrick Kielty said: “It’s been so lovely to finally share the news and I’m genuinely overwhelmed by all the messages. To everyone who’s got in touch, I can’t thank you enough.

I’m really looking forward to getting started now - and to changing my number when the requests for The Toy Show tickets start!”

Kielty, 52, had tweeted his reaction just minutes after RTE posted a video of photoshoot with him posing with the Rolling Stones hit Start Me Up playing in the background.

HONOUR

He tweeted: “Posting this before they change their mind! A real honour to follow in the footsteps of Gay, Pat and Ryan. Thanks RTE for the chance to be a part of the next chapter @RTELateLateShow.”

His wife Cat Deeley got in on the action shortly afterwards, sharing his tweet with her legion of followers on Twitter.