Ryan Tubridy will host his final Late Late Show in just nine days.
The RTE star is stepping down from the Friday night chat show on May 26 after a 14 year stint. Since announcing his departure, rumours have swirled about who will be next to get the biggest gig in Irish telly.
While his replacement was originally hotly tipped to be a woman, frontrunners Miriam O'Callaghan, Claire Byrne and Sarah McInerney have since taken themselves out of the race. Claire's announcement that she would not be taking on the role shocked RTE viewers, as she was the bookie's firm favourite to nab the job following Ryan Tubridy's departure.
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This has left comedian Patrick Kielty as the current favourite to get the gig, with Boylesports halting betting following a surge in support for the Co Down comedian.
Other names that have been in the mix include Baz Ashmawy, Dara Ó Briain, Jennifer Zamperelli, Tommy Tiernan, Kathryn Thomas and Angela Scanlon.
There have also been calls for RTE to change the format of the historic chat show. Daniel O'Donnell, who has appeared on the Late Late multiple times over the years, is among those calling for a new approach.
He told Newstalk: "Maybe if they rejigged it and had it less serious and let some other show do a serious show, so that the audience that's on there for a bit of fun are not bored with what needs to be talked about in a serious way."
What do you think? Should RTE go for the frontrunner Patrick Kielty? Do you think an outsider deserves a shot at the gig? Or should RTE change the format of The Late Late Show completely? Let us know in the comments below.
