New Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty reveals salary ‘to help clarify things’

Ireland’s public service broadcaster is mired in controversy over the underreporting of the salary paid to Kielty’s predecessor Ryan Tubridy

Patrick Kielty, the new host of RTE’s Late Late Show, has revealed his €250,000-a-season salary amid intensifying pressure on the organisation for failing to disclose additional payments made to his predecessor.

Ireland’s public service broadcaster is engulfed in crisis after it was revealed last week that it had underreported Ryan Tubridy’s salary by a total of €345,000 (£298,000) euro over the period 2017 to 2022.

Tubridy stepped down from the flagship light entertainment show in May after 14 years at the helm. County Down comedian Kielty, 52, was subsequently unveiled as his successor.

Kielty and RTE had been facing calls to disclose his contract arrangements given the furore around the misreported payments to Tubridy.

The new host said he will be paid €250,000 (£216,000) per 30-show season and has signed a contract for three seasons.

In a statement, the entertainer said: “I’m pleased to finally be able to share that I’ve signed a three-season deal to host The Late Late Show beginning this September.

“I’m being paid 250,000 euro per 30-show season. If additional shows are requested by RTE, they’ll be paid on a pro-rata basis.

“I’m also receiving a one-off payment of 20,000 euro (£17,000) to cover the pre-production and rehearsals from now to September.

“The contract allows me to submit flight and accommodation expenses, but I’ve waived this. I’ve made it clear to RTE that I will be covering my own flights and accommodation costs.

“I’ve also asked RTE to carbon offset my flights,” he added. “I genuinely hope this helps clarify things going forward. I can’t wait to get started.”