Late Late Show Blunder Leaves Patrick Kielty Red-Faced Seconds Before Welcoming Daniel O’Donnell
Patrick Kielty had the audience — and himself — in fits of laughter on The Late Late Show after a hilarious on-air blunder moments before welcoming Irish country legend Daniel O’Donnell to the stage.
The evening began with a Halloween twist, as Kielty made a theatrical entrance — rising from a coffin while Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” blared through the RTE studio. Dressed in a vampire costume complete with fangs, the host tried to set the tone for the show’s spooky special. But within seconds, he delivered a slip of the tongue that left him hiding his face in embarrassment.
“Good evening and welcome to our Christmas — sorry, I mean Halloween — special!” he said, realising his mistake as the audience erupted in laughter. Red-faced but good-humoured, Kielty laughed it off and shrugged. “It’s been a long week,” he joked, earning more applause from the crowd.
After regaining his composure, Kielty teased the night’s lineup, saying he’d soon be joined by “a member of the Royle family” — before pulling out a Daniel O’Donnell mask to a roar of laughter. The host then began playfully imitating the 61-year-old entertainer, poking fun at his wholesome reputation and trademark charm.
But just as the jokes were landing, the real Daniel O’Donnell appeared behind him, arms folded and feigning disapproval. The audience burst out laughing as Kielty turned around and pretended to jump in fright. Daniel, smiling but keeping the act going, handed him a cue card and deadpanned, “Introduce me properly.”
“He’s written it himself!” Kielty quipped, reading from the card:
“Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to the biggest star and best singer we have ever had on this show.”
Daniel grinned as he walked onstage to thunderous applause, embracing Kielty before taking his seat.
Once settled, the Donegal star showed his trademark wit, reflecting on his career with warmth and humour — and at one point, Kielty joined him on stage wearing a wig as the two performed a cheeky duet of “I Just Want to Dance With You.” The crowd loved it, clapping and laughing along as the pair swayed and sang together.
Later in the interview, Daniel turned reflective, taking a moment to pay tribute to the late Sinéad O’Connor, who passed away in July. “We had a lovely night the time Sinéad and I appeared on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?,” he recalled. “I remember us going into a big room here in RTÉ after the show, and we danced together. She was a terrific artist — such a generous and kind person, especially to the people of Bray. She’s missed by so many, and her passing was a huge loss to her family.”
It was a fitting balance of laughter and heart — a reminder of why Daniel O’Donnell remains one of Ireland’s most loved entertainers, and why Patrick Kielty’s warmth and quick wit continue to endear him to audiences.
By the end of the show, Kielty’s Halloween slip-up had become part of the night’s charm. As one viewer wrote online, “Only Patrick could turn a Christmas mistake into a Halloween hit — and only Daniel could make it even funnier.”