Earlier this year, prolific RTÉ The Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy announced his intentions to step down from the talk show position after 14 years. The third host of the show's production, his planned departure has left many wondering who will take on the role once this Late Late Show season ends.

As of Saturday, that question has been answered: North Irish star and television presenter Patrick Kielty will be taking the helm and step up as the Late Late show's fourth host at the start of its 61st season.

Hailing from Dundrum, Co. Down, Patrick's career kicked off as the host of The Empire Laughs Back, Northern Ireland's first comedy club. Since, he's acted on TV and films, become BAFTA nominated for his documentary My Dad, The Peace Deal and Me, and even served as a Hot Press Awards presenter in Belfast.

On Twitter, Patrick humorously broke the news by saying that he was "posting this before they change their mind!" Adding that it was a "real honour to follow in the footsteps of Gay, Pat and Ryan."

Posting this before they change their mind! A real honour to follow in the footsteps of Gay, Pat and Ryan. Thanks RTE for the chance to be a part of the next chapter. @RTELateLateShow https://t.co/TGB4BvRudl

— Patrick Kielty (@PatricKielty) May 20, 2023

Instagram saw a slightly longer message on The Late Late Show's official page.

"I can't thank RTÉ enough for giving me a chance to be a part of the next chapter of such an iconic show. I'm also genuinely humbled to become part of Friday nights for so many Irish people, at home and around the world. I can't wait to get started on one of the greatest jobs in television."

It's a touching message full of promise and excitement for a new era of Irish television, although fans of Ryan Tubridy will be happy to know that he's not departing from RTÉ entirely.

The Late Late Show is not Ryan's only project with RTÉ. He's also the host of RTÉ's annual The Late Late Toy Show and the RTÉ Radio 1 morning weekday show The Ryan Tubridy Show. While his departure from The Late Late Show includes leaving The Late Late Toy Show, you can still catch him across the airwaves in the mornings.

Those who have tuned in recently to said morning show will also know that Tubridy does not hand of the show without faith. Earlier today, he said that he was "really, really happy about this choice" to make Patrick the next host.

"I just think he has, what they say in the business, the chops."

"He can cover the heavy side of things and he's got a background that will inform that, and he will also obviously do the lighter end of things with great skill because he's a comedian, he's a funny guy. He's also, any time I've met him, a really lovely fella with it."

Safe to say, it seems the future of The Late Late Show is in good hands.