Two-horse race for Late Late Show gig as Claire Byrne faces unexpected competition

A two-way race for the Late Late Show presenter gig has emerged, with favourite Claire Byrne up against an unexpected frontrunner.

Bookies had suspended bets on who will replace Ryan Tubridy in recent weeks after being overwhelmed with support for Claire Byrne but following speculation around comedian Patrick Kielty this week, they have reopened the book.

The RTE Radio One star remains the 1/2 favourite, but Kielty has made up serious ground with his odds dramatically tumbling from 50/1 into 2/1. Sarah McInerney is the next at 4/1, followed by Angela Scanlon at 9/1. 2FM Radio host Jennifer Zamparelli is also still in the mix at 12/1 as is Baz Ashmawy at 14/1.

Brendan O’Connor and Tommy Tiernan are now tied at 18/1, while Doireann Garrihy is sitting at 20/1 to take over the Late Late Show gig. Meanwhile Marty Morrissey, Alan Hughes and Martin King are now the rank outsiders as things stand, with all three priced at 200/1.

Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: "After suspending the market last week, it was looking like Claire Byrne was a done deal for the Late Late Show gig but following a surge in interest for Patrick Kielty, we reopened the book.

"As things stand, it’s a two-horse race between Byrne and Kielty for the job. The race to fill the iconic presenters chair rumbles on!"

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