Time is running out for RTE to announce who will host the new series of the Late Late Show, due back on our screens in just a few weeks time.

Patrick Kielty’s future as host of The Late Late Show remains up in the air, despite his most recent contract with RTÉ having expired more than six weeks ago.

The Co Down presenter completed the final programme of the season on May 1, bringing to a close the three-year deal he signed when he took over RTE’s television’s biggest seat in 2023.

Under that agreement, Kielty was understood to receive €250,000 per season to front the flagship Friday night programme.

But with preparations for the next series expected to be gathering pace, RTÉ has yet to confirm whether the 55-year-old will return to host another season.

The ongoing silence has fuelled speculation over Kielty’s future, with viewers still waiting for a definitive answer on whether he will be back on screens when the show returns later this year.

It’s understood Kielty has not yet signed a new contract to host the show for the coming year, and the latest rumour circulating in Montrose is that five new names have been thrown into the mix as potential hosts.

RTE’s former commercial director Willie O’Reilly says things are getting serious now with time ticking down to the new series.

He told the Irish Sun that ‘RTE is really sailing close to the edge now.’

‘They’re in very dangerous waters without a Late Late host. Both the public and advertisers could lose faith in the programme.’

O’Reilly continued – ‘If Patrick isn’t coming back, RTE have very little space to find a new Late Late Show host. It would be a total disaster if RTE panicked and signed the wrong presenter on a three-year contract.’

He suggested a sensible plan now would be to divide the Late Late Show up between different presenters.

‘Let’s say Kieran Cuddihy, Oliver Callan, Maura Derrane, Muireann O’Connell and Dermot Whelan. You give them all a month hosting The Late Late Show. See what works, with the most successful made ­permanent host the following year.’

Willie O’Reilly believes if Patrick Kielty is actually coming back for the new series that RTE needs to announce this now and put an end to speculation.

For now, the question remains unanswered as negotiations continue behind closed doors.