Comedian Patrick Kielty has emerged as a front-runner to become the new host of the Late Late Show.
The Co Down funnyman is now seen as a popular choice to replace Ryan Tubridy, who will depart from the Late Late Show hot seat next month after 14 years.
Leading bookmakers Paddy Power have now slashed their odds on Kielty (52) replacing Tubs after some heavy betting on him over recent days.
Kielty is now down to odds of just 2/1 to take over the world's longest-running chat show - having been out as far as 12/1 just a few days ago.
A Paddy Power spokesperson said: "We've seen some significant bets on Patrick Kielty to get the Late Late Show job. So much so that we've had to chop his price from 12/1 to 2/1."
It means Kielty is now the second favourite to land the highly coveted gig, behind long-term favourite Claire Byrne, who remains at 8/11 on to replace her RTE pal Tubridy.
It comes after Patrick Kielty's wife, TV host Cat Deeley, said her hubby would do “the most phenomenal job” as the new host of the Late Late Show.
In a recent interview, Cat, who describes Dublin as their “second home”, said Patrick would take to the role seamlessly.
She said: "I know his name is in the mix (for The Late Late Show). 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."
However, Cat said she could see why RTE chiefs might favour a female presenter for the show this time.
She added: "If I’m coming at it from the other side, I have to say, what, it’s been on since the 1960s and there’s never been a woman hosting?”
"I think there aren’t enough women in chat shows in general."
She and Kielty, who married in Rome in 2012, now live in London with their two sons Milo (7) and James (4).
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