Late Late Show country music special returns — here's the lineup

Host Patrick Kielty will be joined on Friday night's episode by special guests American singer-songwriter Ashley Campbell, daughter of the late country music legend Glen Campbell, as well as Nathan Carter, Una Healy, Cliona Hagan and Jesse Sludds. Picture: RTÉ.

The Late Late Show Country Music Special returns with well-known names such as Nathan Carter and Una Healy on Friday night.

Host Patrick Kielty will be joined by special guests American singer-songwriter Ashley Campbell, daughter of the late country music legend Glen Campbell, as well as Nathan Carter, Una Healy, Cliona Hagan and Jesse Sludds.

The show will open with a special performance by some of the biggest stars in Irish country music.

Ashley Campbell will join Kielty to talk about her love for Ireland, touring with her dad and her memories of Shane McGowan popping by backstage. The country singer-songwriter will also perform a rendition of Gentle On My Mind.

Nathan Carter will perform his new single, Walk on Faith, from his new album Doing Alright. Carter will also share his plans for the future, including a career highlight of his first-ever performance at Carnegie Hall in New York this Halloween.

Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty. Picture: RTÉ.

Cliona Hagan will be joined in studio by some of the country’s most well-known country music stars to celebrate the life and legacy of music icon Dolly Parton with a performance of some of her biggest hits. The singer-songwriters will also share stories of her inspirational career and her connection to Ireland.

Country music up-and-comer Jesse Sludds, who was the winner of The Late Late Show Opening Act competition back in April, will also be back in The Late Late Show studio.

Sludds, who went on to open for Shania Twain at Thomond Park in Limerick in July in front of 25,000 people, will share what life has been like since winning the competition, as well as announce details of his new single Dear Home.

Una Healy, who launched The Late Late Show Opening Act search earlier this year and was part of the judging panel, will also join Kielty in the studio for a performance of one of the biggest country crossover hits of all time, alongside Clodagh Lawlor and Claudia Buckley.

There will also be appearances from Jimmy Buckley, Sandy Kelly, David James, Trudi Lalor and Ciarán Rosney. The newest inductee to The Late Late Show Country Music Hall of Fame will also be surprised on the show.

The Late Late Show airs tonight on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player at 9.35pm.