Late Late Show host Kielty feared he’d infected the Pope with shingles
The Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty on set for his second season hosting the programme. Picture: Andres Poveda
As presenter Patrick Kielty prepared for the return of The Late Late Show on Friday, he spoke about a busy summer that included a surreal encounter with the pontiff.
In June, the broadcaster met Pope Francis alongside other comedians in the Vatican, which he described as a “weird fever-dream”.
In the days prior to the meeting, however, Kielty had been lifting loft insulation and thought he had gotten the material on his face as it became irritated and swollen.
“There was only me, Chris Rock and Jimmy Fallon in the Vatican wearing sunglasses,” said Kielty. “Obviously, they’re two stars so you can see everybody else looking at me going, ‘Well, they’re famous so he’s clearly a wanker'.”
Upon meeting the Pope, Kielty said he could see him recoil at the sight of his swollen face, but it was only after the trip that the Late Late host found out he actually had shingles, rather than irritation from the insulation.
“There was a chance that I had given the Pope shingles. I was never so glad to see him the week after in full health giving the blessings. It was a surreal experience.”
As the Late Late Show kicks off on Friday, September 13, the Co Down man is hoping the inauspicious day will be a lucky one for him.
“We have a few little surprises. We have a few little surprises for our guests. We’ve one surprise for a particular guest that left his mouth on the floor, which is great. We also hope to have a few laughs and a bit of craic,” he told the Irish Examiner.
Tonight’s guests include Rory McIlroy, John Bishop, John Sheahan and Phil Coulter, as well as Cork’s very own Kabin Crew alongside Lisdoonvarna Crew, who will be performing their hit, ‘The Spark’.
Speaking about the viral group, who have had a busy summer performing at festivals in both Ireland and abroad, Kielty said he was “absolutely delighted” to have them on.
“We had Sophia [McNamara, of Kabin Crew] on the Toy Show back last year and so to see that come full circle and to have her back on the show was like, ‘I can’t wait to see her,’ and it put a big smile on my face.”
Medallists from the Olympics and Paralympics will also be welcomed home by Kielty on tonight’s show.
Some viewers questioned the amount of Northern Irish guests during Kielty’s debut season. When asked about the debate, Kielty jokingly shook his head and said: “These Northern guests, they just keep sneaking in...
“Unrelated – Rhys McClenaghan wins gold for Ireland. Daniel Wiffen wins gold for Ireland. So, yeah, I think people are maybe getting over that one.”
Kielty has been open about his commute from London every week, where he lives with his wife, This Morning presenter Cat Deeley, and his two sons, Milo, 8, and James, 6.
Asked if his family would be in this week’s audience, he said: “The two boys will be in bed on Friday and, no, Cat will not be with us. She wants to get over for a show this run.”
Deeley had spent seven weeks during last season’s run in the US, filming So You Think You Can Dance for Fox, but having taken up her position on the ITV breakfast show alongside Ben Shepard earlier this year, she has a more “stable schedule”, Kielty said.
- The Late Late Show returns to RTÉ One & RTÉ Player on Friday, September 13, at 9.35pm
