What will the new format of The Late Late Show be like?

AT 61 years old, many observers believe The Late Late Show is starting to show its age.

But bubbly comedian Patrick Kielty will be hoping to inject new life and some zest into a new format when the venerable series returns next week.

Viewers are bound to tune in in their droves on RTÉ1 on Friday September 15, at 9.35pm when the County Down comic and TV presenter makes his bow. The test will be to see if they stick around for the winter months ahead.

Kielty is tipped to bring his own inimitable style to the world’s longest-running live chat show, as he blends entertainment, music, and comedy.

And yes, we are assured the owl will be there with a new shine to his feathers.

However, a number of changes have been flagged up in advance, including a new logo that is navy, green and purple.

The new-look Late Late Show is also having its running time cut back, to 90 minutes, so it will finish at 11.05pm instead of 11.45pm. The series will also be two months shorter than usual.

The show is expected to include more engagement with the audience, and there has been speculation that it may focus more on entertainment content, rather than its traditional mix of entertainment, current affairs and real life stories.

Perhaps the new format will be more like UK chat shows hosted by other comedians, such as Graham Norton and Jonathan Ross.

All will be revealed when Kielty, aged 52, who is married to fellow TV presenter Cat Deeley with whom he has two sons, steps onto the stage at Monrose.

He will become the fourth presenter of the Late Late, following in the footsteps of Gay Byrne, Pat Kenny and Ryan Tubridy.

Byrne launched the show on July 6, 1962, at the very late time of 11.20pm, when it was intended as a light summer filler.

He stayed as host until 1999, when Kenny took over for a ten-year stint.

Tubridy reigned in the hot seat until May this year, when his decision to stand down surprised many. He has since been embroiled in the RTÉ payments scandal and left the station.

Kielty previously said he is “absolutely thrilled” to land the Late Late job. “To follow in the footsteps of Gay, Pat, and Ryan as the next custodian is a real honour and I can’t thank RTÉ enough for giving me the chance to be a part of the next chapter of such an iconic show,” he said

When he bowed out, Tubridy wished his successor the best of luck. “I can’t wait to see what he does with the job,” he said.

That goes for all of us.