Patrick Kielty Net Worth, Salary & TV Success
Patrick Kielty earns from The Late Late Show, BBC radio, and stand-up tours. Get factual insights into his contract and media career.
Author:James RowleyOct 25, 20251K Shares69.7K Views
Patrick Kielty was born on 31 January 1971 in the village of Dundrum in County Down, Northern Ireland. He grew up in a family with two brothers and attended St Patrick’s Grammar School in Downpatrick. During his teenage years he played Gaelic football and was part of the Down GAA minor team for three years, including when they won the 1987 All Ireland Minor Football Championship. While still a university student at Queen’s University Belfast studying psychology, he began performing comedy at local clubs in Northern Ireland.
| Fact | Verified Information |
| Born | 31 January 1971, Dundrum, Northern Ireland |
| Education | Queen’s University Belfast (Psychology) |
| Profession | Comedian, TV presenter, actor |
| Breakthrough | Last Chance Lottery (Channel 4, 1999) |
| BBC Show | Patrick Kielty Almost Live |
| Major Role | Host of RTÉ’s The Late Late Show (since 2023) |
| Radio | BBC Radio 5 Live (Saturday host) |
| Award | Grierson Award (2018 documentary) |
| Film | Ballywalter (2023 acting debut) |
| Early Career | Co-founded Belfast comedy club The Empire Laughs Back |
| Sports Background | Played for Down GAA minor team (All-Ireland winners, 1987) |
| Documentary Recognition | BAFTA-nominated for My Dad, The Peace Deal and Me |
| TV Panel Work | Hosted Stand Up For the Week (Channel 4) |
| Late Late Contract | Signed multi-season hosting deal with RTÉ (from 2023) |
| Net Worth (2026) | Not publicly disclosed |
Patrick Kielty Career
Patrick Kielty is a Northern Irish comedian, actor and television presenter whose career spans stand-up, broadcasting and documentary filmmaking. He first gained notice in the 1990s as a stand-up comic in Belfast, later transitioning into UK and Irish television.
Over the years Kielty has built a broad media profile; his television credits include Channel 4’s Last Chance Lottery and BBC’s Patrick Kielty Almost Live, and he has hosted game shows and variety programmes on the BBC, Channel 4, ITV and RTÉ. In 2023 he was announced as the host of RTÉ One’s flagship Late Late Show, making him the show’s fourth permanent presenter.
He also presents a live Saturday morning programme on BBC Radio 5 Live. Kielty’s work has earned industry recognition as well: he was BAFTA-nominated and won a Grierson Award for his 2018 documentary My Dad, The Peace Deal and Me, and more recently won a Royal Television Society award for presenting Patrick Kielty: 100 Years of Union.
Early Career & Entry Into Stand-Up Comedy
Patrick Kielty grew up in Dundrum, County Down and began performing comedy while still a student at Queen’s University Belfast. In the early 1990s he co-founded The Empire Laughs Back, Belfast’s first dedicated comedy club, where he performed and honed his satirical style.
This venture led to a one-off BBC Northern Ireland special of the same name; the BBC Empire Laughs Back TV special earned him a Royal Television Society award for Best Regional Presenter, cementing his reputation in local media. Kielty also worked as the audience warm-up act for BBC Northern Ireland’s Anderson on the Box.
When that show ended, he presented its successor, PK Tonight, a live comedy chat show that further raised his profile among Northern Irish audiences. His early stand-up drew on current events and local culture, and he quickly built a name for fearless satire on the Troubles.
Over time Kielty’s live comedy tours grew in popularity, often selling out venues across Ireland and the UK as he expanded beyond Belfast clubs.
Television Breakthrough & BBC Recognition
By the late 1990s Patrick Kielty had transitioned from regional shows to national television. His first big break on UK TV came with the Channel 4 prime-time quiz show Last Chance Lottery in 1999, which introduced him to a broader audience.
He soon began hosting programmes for the BBC, including the BBC1 Saturday evening show After The Break, and co-hosted The National Lottery Big Ticket on BBC1 alongside Anthea Turner.
In the early 2000s Kielty also fronted entertainment and panel shows such as The Big Breakfast on Channel 4, Stupid Punts on BBC, and Fame Academy on BBC. Concurrently he launched his own BBC chat show Patrick Kielty Almost Live, which ran for multiple series on BBC One and earned him further acclaim as a broadcaster.
During this period he appeared regularly on charity specials like Comic Relief and various panel formats, and stood out for his quick wit on shows like The Stand-Up Show. These prime-time hosting roles established Kielty as a familiar television personality across Ireland and Britain.
Major Hosting Roles: The Late Late Show & Prime-Time Success
In September 2023 Patrick Kielty took over as the permanent host of RTÉ One’s Late Late Show, one of the longest-running talk shows in the world. As the fourth full-time presenter following Gay Byrne, Pat Kenny and Ryan Tubridy, he brought a fresh style to the Friday night programme.
At the launch of his tenure, Kielty said he was “absolutely thrilled” and “humbled” to join the lineage of hosts, calling the role “one of the greatest jobs in television.” RTÉ’s leadership praised him as “one of Ireland’s finest comedians” who would bring an “exciting new dynamic” to the show.
Kielty’s early seasons of Late Late have featured high-profile guests and segments on both entertainment and social issues, showcasing his blend of humor and empathy.
Before his Late Late appointment, Kielty had already logged numerous other high-profile hosting assignments. In 2005 he co-presented ITV’s celebrity spin-off Celebrity Love Island, and over the years he has appeared as a guest and co-host on ITV’s This Morning.
He also fronted Channel 4’s topical comedy series Stand Up For the Week in 2010. These prime-time roles, alongside his talk shows, contributed to Kielty’s reputation as a versatile presenter capable of handling live audiences and big studio productions.
Radio Career & Broadcasting Authority (BBC Radio 5 Live)
In addition to his television work, Patrick Kielty has become a regular voice on radio. In late 2023 he began hosting a live Saturday morning show on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Airing from 9am to 11am, the programme blends sports coverage with light entertainment. Kielty features sports news and interviews with top athletes and commentators, as well as celebrity guests and interactive games such as the segments “Pie-er or Lower” and “Beat The Commentator.”
He typically broadcasts from BBC’s London studios, though he also presents several shows from BBC Belfast. This weekly 5 Live show has allowed Kielty to reach a sports audience and demonstrate his skills as an interviewer and radio host.
His radio work follows a pattern from earlier in his career, when he hosted a short BBC Radio 2 series in 2010, but the 5 Live slot represents his most significant ongoing broadcasting role in radio.
Acting Projects & Television Credits
Beyond presenting, Kielty has undertaken significant acting and documentary projects. He has co-written and hosted award-winning documentaries about Northern Ireland’s history and society.
His 2018 BBC film My Dad, The Peace Deal and Me about the Good Friday Agreement’s legacy earned a BAFTA nomination and won him the title of Documentary Presenter of the Year at the 2018 Grierson Awards.
In 2021 he presented Patrick Kielty: One Hundred Years of Union, a BBC One documentary marking Northern Ireland’s centenary, which won a Royal Television Society award for Best Presenter.
In 2023 Kielty made his screen acting debut in the feature film Ballywalter, playing the lead role of Shane in a contemporary Irish drama about healing and reconciliation. In Ballywalter he stars alongside Seána Kerslake, demonstrating his range beyond comedy by tackling a dramatic character in a socially relevant story.
These projects add to his television credits, which also include appearances on comedy programs such as Live at the Apollo and various British panel shows.
Current Career Role & Ongoing Influence In Media Industry
As of 2026 Patrick Kielty remains a prominent media figure in Ireland and the UK. He continues in his role as presenter of the Late Late Show, with multiple seasons under his belt, and maintains his BBC Radio 5 Live Saturday programme.
Kielty has also returned to stand-up touring, with his Borderline live tour resuming with additional dates in 2025 and selling out major theaters in Ireland and Britain.
In interviews he has expressed enthusiasm for balancing live comedy with his broadcasting duties. Industry recognition of Kielty’s career persists, and he is regarded as one of Northern Ireland’s leading voices in entertainment.
Across television, radio and live performance, Kielty’s blend of sharp humor and engagement with current affairs continues to underscore his experience and influence in the media industry.
Patrick Kielty Net Worth
As of 2026, his net worth is not publicly disclosed, and no figure has been officially verified by major financial authorities. He has a three-season contract to host RTÉ’s The Late Late Showat €250,000per 30-show season and presents a Saturday-morning programme on BBC Radio 5 Live. Additional revenue comes from his stand-up comedy tours and acting roles, though specific earnings from these activities are not publicly disclosed.
FAQs
Who Is Patrick Kielty?
Patrick Kielty is a Northern Irish comedian, television presenter, actor, and broadcaster. He is known for his work across UK and Irish television, including hosting RTÉ’s The Late Late Showsince 2023.
When And Where Was Patrick Kielty Born?
He was born on 31 January 1971 in Dundrum, County Down, Northern Ireland.
What Is Patrick Kielty Best Known For?
He is best known for hosting The Late Late Showon RTÉ One and for his earlier television work with the BBC and Channel 4. He has also gained recognition for his stand-up comedy and documentary presenting.
What Documentaries Has Patrick Kielty Presented?
He presented My Dad, The Peace Deal and Me(2018), which received a BAFTA nomination and won a Grierson Award. He also presented Patrick Kielty: 100 Years of Union(2021), which earned a Royal Television Society award.
Does Patrick Kielty Work In Radio?
Yes, he hosts a Saturday morning programme on BBC Radio 5 Live. The show combines sports coverage with entertainment and guest interviews.
Has Patrick Kielty Acted In Films?
Yes, he made his feature film acting debut in Ballywalter(2023), playing the lead role.
James Rowley
Author
James Rowley is a London-based writer and urban explorer specialising in the city’s cultural geography. For over 15 years, he has documented the living history of London's neighbourhoods through immersive, first-hand reporting and original photography. His work foregrounds verified sources and street-level detail, helping readers look past tourist clichés to truly understand the character of a place.
His features and analysis have appeared in established travel and heritage publications. A passionate advocate for responsible, research-led tourism, James is an active member of several professional travel-writing associations.
His guiding principle is simple: offer clear, current, verifiable advice that helps readers see the capital with informed eyes.
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