Patrick Kielty has dedicated the latest episode of The Late Late Show to his mother, following her funeral earlier in the week.
The Northern Irish TV presenter and comedian, 54, who fronts RTE’s flagship TV programme, addressed the audience on Friday night.
Referencing Ireland’s annual holiday on Monday, Kielty said: “When you’re called Patrick, St Patrick’s Day is always special, and the person I have to thank for that and so much more is my mum.
“Sadly, we lost her last week and I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who took care of her and took care of our family this week.”
He added that his mother, Mary Kielty, whose funeral was held at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Dundrum this week, “watched this show religiously”.
Kielty said: “She loved it so much she still kept watching even after I got the gig.
“In over 50 years, Mary never missed a Late Late Show and there was no way she’d want me to miss this one for her tonight.
“So, I couldn’t be prouder to stand here and say ‘this one’s for you, Mary’. Welcome to The Late Late Show.”
Patrick Kielty and Cat Deeley (Damien Eagers/PA)
He then appeared to break down and was applauded by the crowd.
His mother – whose husband Jack was shot dead by the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) in 1988 – died peacefully at home in Dundrum, Co Down, last Saturday aged 84.
Kielty replaced Ryan Tubridy as host of the popular Irish chat show, who stepped down in 2023 following a more than 10-year stint on the Irish talk show.
The comedian is married to This Morning host Cat Deeley and they have two sons, James and Milo.