The Late Late Show loses senior producer four weeks into new season

The Late Late Show's most senior producer has departed the show just four weeks into its new season.

Executive producer Jane Murphy oversaw the relaunch of the show, with new presenter Patrick Kielty, but she has now left her role.

Sources close to The Late Late Show told the Irish Examiner that there had been "tensions" behind the scenes of RTÉ's main chat show.

They said Mr Kielty and Ms Murphy has clashed over issues such as guests and his appearance on last Friday’s episode dressed as a jockey on a mechanical horse.

Ms Murphy's departure was described as "unprecedented". She has previously worked as a producer on the show and the Toy Show.

Head of Entertainment Alan Tyler informed the Late Late team and the entertainment department via email on Wednesday, the Irish Examiner reported.

In the email, seen by the Examiner, Mr Tyler said Ms Murphy had done a “terrific job of overseeing the relaunch and moving the show into a new iteration with a new host".

"As a highly experienced executive producer, Jane Murphy worked on The Late Late Show for the past five months in pre-planning and production including taking Patrick and the show to air for the first four weeks.

“Now that the brand new series has been established she will be taking up a different role within television.

“I want to thank Jane for her steady stewardship and hard graft over the last five months to get the new show up and running and off to a great start. Myself, Patrick and the team are very grateful and have our heads down now in the flow of the new season.”