A bookmaker has taken the decision to suspend betting on the next host of the Late Late Show after a string of bets on one contender.
Paddy Power took the decision last night after bets on Patrick Kielty to take over RTÉ's flagship chat show from Ryan Tubridy skyrocketed.
The Dundrum man began the week as 5/6 favourite to take over the role but was backed into 1/5 to replace Tubridy before the bookmaker shut the market, reports Irish Mirror.
Read more: Patrick Kielty and wife Cat hint at move to Ireland if comedian gets Late Late Show role
Having previously hosted chat shows including Patrick Kielty Almost Live on the BBC, the Co Down native is one of the most experienced names in the running to take on the hosting duty.
Rachael Kane, a spokesperson for Paddy Power, said: “Things quietened down in the betting over the past couple of weeks but we had an explosion of activity yesterday.
"It was all one-way traffic, with customers willing to back Patrick Kielty no matter what the price and we therefore made the decision to pull the plug. This looks like a done-deal as far as we are concerned.”
Meanwhile, Kielty himself has responded to the speculation he is about to take the Late Late hot seat at the IFTAs on Sunday night.
Responding to Goss.ie, he said: "The only thing I would say about the Late Late Show is a couple of things. One is that it is one of the greatest TV shows on the planet. Whoever gets that gig is going to be really, really lucky.
"The one thing people have to remember though, is, how big shoes they are to fill.
"You know, I've done a chat show before, I've done a live show before, it's hard. Whenever you've been on the Late Late Show as a guest and sat close to Ryan, you see how he does his stuff."
His wife, Cat Deeley, also hinted that a move back to Ireland could be on the cards for the couple.
She said: "Let's see if we can get it first, we can talk about that then."
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