RTE Director General Kevin Bakhurst has revealed how new Late Late host Patrick Kielty kept him smiling through a tough 12 months. Bakhurst – who has battled a payment controversy, executive spending splurge, a drop in licence fee revenue and stars quitting – admits that his first year as the boss of RTE has been “pretty heavy going”. But he said having a hand in hiring funnyman Paddy to replace Ryan Tubridy as the host of the flagship show was a winner.
Kevin said: “Paddy has been fantastic and the way he has resonated with the audience has been beyond our expectations. “There was a little bit of noise when he started because he’s a Nordie and a few of his guests were from the North but that died away quickly. “Paddy is a really smart, funny guy with absolute authenticity which I think is really important.
“I think Paddy has shone through in the first year but he is also happy to poke fun at himself which audiences really like. “ The Toy Show in November was a real runaway success and was almost the seal of approval for him, he did a great job on it.” Bakhurst credits former RTE DG Dee Forbes with letting him have a hand in the decision to hire Paddy, as the Late Late job became vacant while he was still in the UK.
Bakhurst said: “Ryan Tubridy had said he was leaving the Late Late Show and there was a decision about who should replace him. “And Dee told me, ‘you should be taking that decision because it’s going to be on your watch’, which I ap.
