Late Late Show: Favourite emerges to replace Patrick Kielty as his future at helm still in doubt

A question mark remains around current host Kielty after RTE chiefs refused to confirm if the Co Down comedian would be returning in September.

Kieran Cuddihy could soon be taking the reins on The Late Late Show as confusion grows over whether Patrick Kielty will sign a new contract.

The Kilkenny man has been at the helm of RTÉ ‘s Liveline since November after taking over from Joe Duffy, but a switch to Ireland’s top chat show could be on the horizon.

A question mark remains around current Late Late Show host Kielty after Montrose chiefs refused to confirm if the Co Down comedian would be returning in September.

Cuddihy is now the favourite to replace Kielty if he doesn’t return. According to odds from Ladbrokes, the Kilkenny man is 6/4 favourite to land the gig, the Irish Mirror reports.

This comes as rumours that RTE will hand five potential hosts trial periods for a month each, with Cuddihy one of the names in the mix.

The other four include one-time favourite for the job Oliver Callan (2/1), former TodayFM presenter Dermot Whelan (3/1), IrelandAM presenter Muireann O’Connell (5/1), and current RTE TV presenter Maura Derrane (5/1).

There are also rumours The Two Johnnies could also be in with a shot. Their odds currently stand at 5/2.

Miriam O’Callaghan and Ex-RTE presenter Claire Byrne are also in the mix.

Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes commented: “It looks like we’re in for a summer of speculation on the next face of the Late Late Show. It looks like Kieran Cuddihy is the early favourite, but there is no white smoke just yet.”

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