6 Late Late Show talking points, including Simon Zebo's 10th anniversary tribute to Anthony Foley
Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty was joined in studio by comedians Kyla Cobler and James Acaster, as well as former rugby star Simon Zebo who remembered Anthony Foley. Picture: RTE.
An exciting line-up of guests joined host Patrick Kielty on Friday night’s
Comedians Kyla Cobbler and James Acaster, Munster and Ireland rugby star Simon Zebo, and Bob Geldof and Gary Kemp all appeared in the studio on Friday.
Cork comedian Kyla Cobbler, who recently announced the news that she and her husband are expecting their first baby together, joined Patrick Kielty to talk about the new chapter, her new book and success to date.
Last month, Cobbler posted a photo of both her and Stewart holding a pregnancy test on Instagram, including a screengrab of an ultrasound and the text ‘April 2027’.
Cobbler, who is now in her second trimester, told Kielty that while the pregnancy has been “a very joyful and beautiful thing”, it had also been “horrific”.
“I know we're not allowed to say that, ladies. But let's call a spade a spade. It's similar to a parasite. It's hard, very, very hard. I'm so grateful… yeah, it's been a journey,” she said.
As someone who has worked in public-facing roles, she spoke about her newfound respect for hospitality workers who continue to work while pregnant.
“I just kept thinking about my fellow bartenders and my shop assistants, and I was like, oh my gosh, ladies, how would you do? Like I don't even like my husband that much at the moment, and I love him so dearly,” she said.
Cobbler said she believes her granny, who passed away in 2022, gave her the baby, acknowledging that she and Stewart had previously tried for a baby.
Speaking about her new memoir, the title of which stems from an affirmation phrase suggested by her friend who helped Cobbler after she returned home to Cork brokenhearted after travelling, she mentioned some of the stories covered within it, including the time she was accused of drug smuggling while backpacking in Italy.
Touching on the ongoing success of her comedy tours, Cobbler mentioned her sold-out 3Arena gig, and her show in Belfast on March 4.
English Comedian James Acaster, who recently appeared on joined Kielty to chat about his gameplay on the show and his comedy career.
Touching on his time on the show, he notes that being a comedian can be a disadvantage in the game because players may suspect humour is a tactic to disarm others.
“I genuinely think that with each series it gets a bit harder because we were the one after series one where Alan Carr's the big Traitor, and everyone's like he's disarming, and that's why he won, and he's disarming because he's a comedian and he's joking,” he said.
“And each series informs the next one, so then all the comics are like, don't be funny. If we're funny, they're going to suspect us. Yeah. We can't disarm anyone, so that's why we're all coming around as serious as you've ever seen us.”
Touching on the moment Richard E Grant declared he had been made a Traitor, outing himself early in the game, he said: “I was in another room when it happened. If they'd been able to show you what's going on in all the rooms, in all the other rooms of the castle, were just all of us going: “Well, it's clearly Richard”, as he was telling them in that room. So if that hadn't happened, it would have gone the exact same way.”
He also spoke about Joanne McNally’s gameplay, and said that more Irish need to be invited to take part in
Acaster also touched on his love of performing for an Irish crowd, and spoke about his stand-up special coming to YouTube early next month called Craig Simons is James Acaster.
A second Corkonian joined Kielty on Friday night to talk about his rugby career, early influences and his new book.
Rugby star Simon Zebo reflected on the influence of his father, Arthur, who he said was a strict athletics coach and helped instil self-belief in him during his youth.
He shared how his father's background as an Olympic qualifier from Martinique shaped the family.
Zebo also credited his mother, Linda, for providing emotional support and helping him develop resilience against challenges such as racism encountered while playing hurling at a young age.
He spoke about his career highlights, including the historic victory in Chicago against the All Blacks, which was Ireland's first win against them in nearly a decade, and being part of the Ireland team that won the Six Nations in 2015.
Zebo also reflected on the life and legacy of the late Anthony ‘Axel’ Foley, noting that the 10th anniversary of his passing is a significant moment for Munster Rugby and describing Axel as the embodiment of the underdog spirit who was the first captain to lead the province to a Champions Cup victory in 2006.
“Axel had a massive part to play in my career, in my life as well. It's very sad. It's 10 years now already that he's been gone,” he said.
“Axel was the embodiment of everything good of about Munster Rugby. You know, the backs against the wall, the underdog tag, doing the impossible, lifting the Champions Cup in 2006, the first captain to do so for the province. He means a whole lot to a whole lot of people in Munster and Irish rugby, and I've no doubt his legacy will live on forever. It’s cemented.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s Munster game against Racing 92 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Zebo said he would be shouting for a Munster win.
“I still have a lot of friends playing with Racing and involved with Racing, and some of the best years of my career were in France playing with Racing, but your heart is only in one place fully, and that's Munster, and it'll always be Munster,” he said.
Bob Geldof joined Kielty on Friday night to discuss the history and development of the Live Aid musical, the origins of the Band Aid movement and the Live Aid event that followed.
Geldof shared his initial reluctance to participate in a musical based on Live Aid, noting that he felt the early scripts focused too much on him.
Eventually, after attending a workshop organised by producer Jamie Wilson, he realised it would work.
John O'Farrell wrote the script, which served as a significant factor in his approval, and the production involves various Band Aid figures.
Geldof also recounted how a news report regarding famine led to the creation of Band Aid Records.
He described the collaborative process of writing with Midge Ure, which became a massive commercial success.
Geldof recalled the experience of working with legendary artists such as Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and Ray Charles.
He also discussed the technical and political challenges of broadcasting the Live Aid concerts globally, explaining how they managed to secure unprecedented satellite coverage for the event.
English singer-songwriter Gary Kemp joined Geldof in the studio to recount the historical development and execution of the Live Aid charity event.
Geldof described the rapid organisation of the charity record, noting that initial scepticism existed due to high competition among bands, while Kemp explained that the lineup formed quickly through local connections in London, including Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran, and Sting.
The pair spoke about several key moments from the historical event, including the emotional significance of Paul McCartney performing Let It Be after a long hiatus following the death of John Lennon; the intense atmosphere backstage; and the high calibre of talent on stage, including Freddie Mercury, Bowie, Elton John, and Bono.
The pair closed out the show with a surprise performance of
Geldof was surprised when he was asked to sing but after some persuasion by Kielty and Kemp, he agreed and performed alongside the band.
The song, which is about working-class poverty and social immobility in a decaying city, was released by The Boomtown Rats in 1978.
