Patrick Kielty has become the new bookies' favourite to host The Late Late Show after RTE stars have dropped out of the race.
The Northern Irish comedian and television presenter, 52, who was previously listed as a 66/1 outsider, has seen his odds tumble from 2/1 to 5/6 after Sarah McInerney ruled herself out, RSVP Live reports.
This puts Kielty ahead of other frontrunners Baz Ashmawy and Jennifer Zamperelli who are at 13/5 and 14/1 respectively.
READ MORE: Sarah McInerney rules herself out of Late Late Show race as she's determined to focus on politics
Patrick currently hosts BBC Radio 5 Live’s Saturday morning show.and previously had his own Friday night chat show between 1999 and 2003 on BBC Northern Ireland called Patrick Kielty Almost Live.
And the comic reportedly turned down an offer to take up the Late Late Show role in 1999 after the show's original presenter Gay Byrne stepped down.
Rachael Kane, a spokesperson for Paddy Power, said “We’ve almost had a favourite for everybody in the audience at this stage with Patrick Kielty becoming the fourth individual to occupy top-spot. The Down man was amongst the outsiders early in the betting but steady support has seen him rub shoulders with the frontrunners in recent months.”
Here are the odds for the next Late Late Show host:
- 5/6Patrick Kielty
- 13/5Baz Ashmawy
- 14/1Jenniffer Zamperelli
- 14/1Kathryn Thomas
- 14/1Oliver Callan
- 20/1Dara Ó Briain
- 20/1Tommy Tiernan
- 20/1Angela Scanlon
- 20/1Ted Walsh
- 25/1Doireann Garrihy
- 25/1Katie Hannon
- 33/1Dáithí Ó Sé
- 33/1Brendan O’Connor
- 40/1Dave Fanning
Patrick's wife, and fellow broadcaster, Cat Deeley previously stated that her husband would do a "phenomenal job" if he landed the job.
Speaking in an interview with Life magazine, Deeley said: "‘I know his name is in the mix. And I know that he would do the most phenomenal job as, you know, he’s got the right balance of entertainment and politics, and he’s got skin in the game in that he’s very aware of what happens in Ireland all the time."
Primetime and Drivetime presenter Sarah McInerney released a statement on Friday that she withdrew herself from the race for the popular weekly show, explaining that she would be concentrating on her career in political broadcasting for RTE.
She wrote: "I'd like to confirm that I'm not taking over The Late Late Show from either Ryan Tubridy or James Cordon. Nor have I sought Waystar from Logan Roy."
"Though the prospect of grilling young children over their toy choices every December would be enticing, I let RTÉ management know a couple of weeks ago that I wouldn't be throwing my hat in the ring."
She continued: "There is an election coming, maybe next year. Prime Time and Drivetime will be at the centre of RTÉ coverage. Like all political nerds, I can't wait."
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