Thousands of RTE Late Late Show viewers switch off as all-Irish guest line-up fails to inspire

The RTE Late Late Show shed another 15,000 viewers last week in what was Patrick Kielty's penultimate show in 2023. The Down man's final Late Late Show of 2023 will be a New Year's Eve special on Sunday, December 31.

Last Friday's show saw Kielty welcome the likes of Maura Higgins, Pat Shortt, Deirdre O'Kane, Jennifer Zamparelli and Arthur Gourounlian as guests but the lack of big international stars appears to have turned viewers away.

380,000 people tuned in on average for the show on RTE 1 television while 395,000 switched on the week before when Dara O Briain was among the guests. Both were well down on the 526,000 who tuned in for the December 1 show when UK boyband Take That were the star attractions. 

24,000 people streamed last week's Late Late compared to 28,000 the week before, according to figures released by RTE.

The downturn in viewers comes after some people vented at the guests on the show since Patrick Kielty took the hotseat in September. While his first stint on the Toy Show was a resounding success, the week-to-week shows have been less well received.

Some viewers have suggested the show has failed to attract big international guests this year with only Irish and UK guests taking to the sofa, including a number who also work on or with RTE shows.

Others are clearly loving the show with 380,000 people tuning in still a considerable number and on par with Ryan Tubridy's last year in the chair. 

The show may see a boost in ratings in the coming weeks after RTE announced details of a New Year's Eve Late Late Show special.

The iconic chat show will air on a Sunday for the first time as Patrick Kielty spearheads a special show from 10.15pm on New Year's Eve.

A number of special guests will add to the festive atmosphere as the show rings in 2024 in style on the Donnybrook set. 

Details of the special production were revealed in the RTE Guide released last week.

The description said: "It's the final countdown for 2023, but before we say goodbye to the year that was and welcome in 2024, it's time for Patrick Kielty to host his first end-of-year extravaganza.

"As always, the stars will be out in force, as he chats to a revolving door of special guests.

"That's not all, as we can expect plenty of surprises, familiar faces and a final farewell to the past year."

The show will be taking on the Graham Norton show New Year's special which boasts guests like Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo this year.

Patrick Kielty will be on air on the show on RTE One from 10.15pm to 11.45pm when he will then handover to Anna Geary for the countdown to the New Year.