Irish soccer legend Roy Keane and superstar actor Jamie Dornan are among the bookies' favourites to appear as guests on Patrick Kielty's first Late Late Show episode in September.
The Co Down comedian is trading the BBC for RTÉ as he replaces Ryan Tubridy, becoming the fourth host to present the iconic Irish talk show, now entering into its 61st season.
Kielty is entering into his inaugural series with a wide and varied book of contacts and as a big fan of Manchester United, is being backed to bring Roy Keane (4/1) and legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson (5/1) onto the sofa.
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Bookmakers Boylesports said: "A northern affair could be on the cards with actors Jamie Dornan (5/4) and Liam Neeson (4/1) high on the list of likely targets, while Rory McIlroy could be teed up at 12/1 when the curtain raises on the new series in the autumn, just as the Holywood golfer gears up to represent Europe at the Ryder Cup."
Kielty, who was strongly linked with the RTÉ flagship programme back in 1999, began his comedy career in a club in Belfast.
The 52-year-old father-of-two, married to English model and TV presenter Cat Deeley, said it is an "honour" to follow in the footsteps of previous hosts, Gay Byrne, Pat Kenny and Ryan Tubridy, adding that he is looking forward to the "next chapter" of the iconic show.
The longest-running live chat show in the world is set to return to Irish TV screens on Friday nights in the autumn, with the new host set to shake up the previously criticised format with plenty of big names.
Boylesports says Dubliners Katie Taylor (4/1) and Conor McGregor (20/1) are two more potential guests from the sporting arena, while the likes of Mary Lou McDonald (6/1) could provide some political debate for the Down native, whose father was shot by the Ulster Freedom Fighters in 1988.
Saoirse Ronan (5/2) Christy Moore (5/2) and Daniel O'Donnell (3/1) are also in the top five most likely first guests, along with Roy Keane and Jamie Dornan, according to Boylesports.
Lawrence Lyons, a spokesperson for the betting company said: “Guests are a well-guarded secret until late late in the day, but with Roy Keane and Jamie Dornan in the frame we’re expecting a star-studded green room on Paddy Kielty’s first night.”
