The Down Under comedian, 52, was confirmed as the successor to outgoing host Ryan Tubridy on Saturday with congratulations and tributes pouring in on social media.
TV star Kat, 46, congratulated her husband on Twitter saying, “A post, about the host, most of all, let’s do a toast.”
Rumors were Kat was going to join her partner as co-presenter on RTÉ’s Late Late Sofa, with Paddy playing a solo role.
Confirming his appointment and paying tribute to his predecessors, Paddy tweeted: “Posting this before they change their mind. It is a real honor to follow in the footsteps of Gay, Pat and Ryan. Thank you RTÉ for giving me this opportunity to be a part of the next chapter.”
The Dundrum man, who is thought to be offered a salary in the region of €250,000, looked jovial and relaxed in a video posted online by RTE as he posed for official photographs in his new role.
He said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be the next host of The Late Late Show.
“It is a real honor to follow in the footsteps of Gay, Pat and Ryan as the next Guardians, and I cannot thank RTÉ enough for giving me the chance to be part of the next chapter of such an iconic show.
“I am truly humbled to be a part of Friday Night for so many Irish people at home and around the world. I can’t wait to start one of the biggest jobs on television.”
Outgoing Late Late presenter Ryan Tubridy (pictured by Andres Poveda)
Paddy, who was offered the job in 1998 but declined, could be commuting from his London pad when he starts the job in September.
He and wife Kat have two young children and currently live in upmarket Fulham, west London.
Kilty has lived out of Ireland for most of his career, and the couple moved to Fulham in 2020 with sons Milo, 6, and James, 4.
Earlier this year, outgoing host Ryan Tubridy said it was a “privilege to host a national institution” after it was confirmed he would be leaving the show after 14 years.
Kilty will be the fourth host of the long-running show, which will join its 61st season in September.
Deeley congratulated her husband in a Twitter post (Photo by Jason Lavaris/Filmmagic) , © FilmMagic
RTÉ Director of Content Jim Jennings said: “Patrick Kielty is undoubtedly one of Ireland’s finest comedians, a terrific presenter with a depth of experience and a range of talents who will bring an exciting new dynamic to the show.
“Patrick’s personality and passion will definitely connect with audiences, and I look forward to seeing him on screen in September.
“We already have very definite ideas in the works for the show and we will be busy behind the scenes shaping the series for the launch. We will be back in August to tell you all about it.
Tubridy will also step down from hosting The Late Late Toy Show, which has raised millions of euros for children’s charities across the island, but will continue to present his radio show on weekdays.
Kilty is expected to earn around €25,000 (Photo by Joe Maher/Getty Images) , © Getty Images
Kilty grew up in the Down village of Dundrum, and played Gaelic football for Down’s minor team.
His father, Jack, was assassinated in January 1988 by loyalist paramilitaries.
The comedian studied psychology at Queen’s University before taking his first steps to stardom at the Empire Comedy Club in Belfast in the 1990s.
Around the same time, he got his first TV break with a children’s program called Sus on UTV.
Kilty married glamorous TV presenter Kat in Rome 2012, with Deeley revealing last week that he had barely any input into their marriage.
“I barely even had my wedding,” she told Closer, “Patrick went and tried the food and did all that.” I never even visited the place where I got married before I got married. I was so clueless. I’m lucky enough that I get to dress up all the time and have really special occasions, so this wasn’t the most exciting thing for me.