Patrick Kielty pays tribute to Gay Byrne ahead of Late Late debut

James Cox

The Late Late Show returns tonight after the most turbulent summer recess in its 61-year history.

Patrick Kielty, 52, from Dundrum, Co Down replaces Ryan Tubridy whose 14-year run ended last May.

The Late Late, which was first broadcast in July 1962, will be shortened to 90 minutes.

Kielty said original host Gay Byrne remains a great inspiration.

"I think growing up with the show, watching Gay do his stuff... I think the brilliant thing he used to do was he talked to the audience as much as down the camera.

"It was like coming into the parlour, and that for me is what this show is."

He added: “The main lesson that I have learned from the show over the years is that you treat everybody the same. Everybody the same and that is what this show does best and that is why it has stood the test of time.”

Kielty said he had received a good luck text from his predecessor Tubridy.

Tubridy stood down as Late Late Show host earlier this year but was continuing to present his weekday show on RTÉ Radio One when a furore over incorrectly disclosed payments RTÉ made to him erupted in the summer.