RTE Late Late Show Viewers Gobsmacked After Graham Norton Drops Unexpected Daniel O’Donnell Bombshell
Viewers of RTÉ’s The Late Late Show were left both stunned and amused on Friday night when legendary chat show host Graham Norton revealed an unexpected story about Daniel O’Donnell — a tale dating all the way back to the late 1990s that left both the studio audience and host Patrick Kielty in fits of laughter.
The 61-year-old presenter, who had just flown in from New York to promote his latest novel, Frankie, was Kielty’s first guest of the night — and, as always, he didn’t disappoint. While discussing his decades-long television career and his success as one of the world’s most beloved talk show hosts, Norton was asked by Kielty if there had ever been any celebrity who turned down an appearance on his program.
Graham’s answer caught everyone off guard. “Well, I think it was the second season of So Graham Norton on Channel 4,” he began with a grin. “It was a different time. We were doing a lot of risky stuff back then — it was all a bit cheeky and fun. We sent invites out to loads of people, and one day someone said, ‘Let’s try Daniel O’Donnell.’”
The audience chuckled, sensing a story coming. “Amazingly,” Graham continued, “Daniel said yes — we couldn’t believe it! It was even listed in all the TV schedules and everything. But I think it was the Friday before the show when either Daniel or someone from his camp tuned in to watch an episode… and suddenly, Daniel was busy!” Norton laughed, leaning back in his chair.
Patrick Kielty, clearly entertained, burst into laughter. “So Daniel ghosted So Graham Norton before ghosting was even a thing?” he joked, to which Graham replied, “Exactly! And honestly, who could blame him? We were a bit wild back then.”
The revelation quickly lit up social media, with fans reacting in disbelief and delight. One viewer wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “You’ve got to love Graham Norton — always full of brilliant stories. Poor Daniel probably didn’t know what he was walking into!” Another added, “That’s the funniest Late Late moment in ages. Different times, indeed!”
Others praised the entire episode, which featured a powerhouse lineup including Adam Clayton of U2, comedian Brendan O’Carroll, Gladiator II star Paul Mescal, and Samantha Barry, Editor-in-Chief of Glamour magazine. “What a show — Graham Norton, Brendan O’Carroll, Paul Mescal, and Adam Clayton? That’s Friday night gold!” one fan posted.
Despite the laughter, Graham’s story was told with warmth and affection for Daniel O’Donnell, whom he called “a true gentleman.” “I have nothing but respect for him,” Norton added. “He’s a national treasure — but let’s just say he made the right call skipping our show back then!”
For Daniel’s fans, the anecdote only added to his charm — the idea of the mild-mannered Donegal singer sidestepping one of Britain’s most famously irreverent talk shows in its early days feels perfectly in character.
As the Late Late Show episode drew to a close, Kielty summed up what many viewers were thinking: “Only Graham Norton could drop a story like that and make the whole country laugh.”
Once again, the Irish-born presenter proved why he remains one of the most entertaining storytellers on television — and why Daniel O’Donnell, ever the gentleman, continues to inspire both affection and amusement across generations.