Does Patrick Kielty understand Ireland after living so many years overseas? 

The Late Late Show is back today after its lengthy summer break and the County Down comedian will be presenting the programme for the very first time. 

The job is one of the most high profile in Ireland and Newstalk Breakfast presenter Shane Coleman said he worries Mr Kielty will be slightly out of touch with the people tuning in to watch him.

“It will be interesting to see what Patrick Kielty does with it,” he said. 

“Will it be more along the funny American chat show line? I suspect it might be. 

“My concern would be, will he get Ireland? He’s been away for a very long period of time - pretty much his whole adult life. 

“Does he get the country? Will he get the nuances? That will be interesting to see.” 

"Win, lose or draw, I'm going to try to enjoy it." Patrick Kielty speaks with @HenryMcKean ahead of his maiden The Late Late Show broadcast tonight. Catch the full interview on @NTBreakfast, from 7am. pic.twitter.com/9IwUOvxR5E

— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) September 15, 2023

Co-host Jonathan Healy was more optimistic and feels a new presenter might be able to inject some new life into the show. 

He noted that Mr Kielty had never worked for RTÉ before and so will “bring an outsider’s perspective” to his new job.

“In recent years, the Late Late started to drift and it did feel like they were doing a round up in the canteen before they came in,” he said. 

“Will Paddy Kielty be able to bring some extra star power himself and bring people in? 

“Probably not… At the same time, I think that the country will want to watch it. 

“It’s going to produce the most important thing the Late Late Show will need - which is clips; little short snippets that can spread around the world and I think that that’s probably what they’re looking to do the most. 

“Not the linear show but get people to watch it back on the player and get people to watch it on social media and keep that brand alive.” 

The Late Late Show begins tonight at 9.35 on RTÉ One.

Main image: Spilt of Patrick Kielty and Shane Coleman.