Broadcaster Pat Kenny has said is set to go up against his old station as he fronts a brand new chat show on UTV Ireland.
The former RTE presenter has landed his own show on the brand new Irish station, beginning in January 2015.
While bosses at UTV Ireland refused to reveal the type of show he will be hosting, insiders told Goss.ie it will be an entertainment chat show.
“It won’t be politics, it won’t be like The Frontline. Pat has done a variety of things over the years and UTV Ireland want to capitalise on that.”
New show: Pat has joined UTV Ireland | VIPIRELAND.COM
“It will be more towards entertainment and it will be a live show. The precise details haven’t been ironed out yet but it will be a night time programme,” an insider revealed.
Head of programming Mary Curtis hinted that the new show will rival the Late Late Show, speaking at the schedule launch.
“Pat will be playing to his strengths. The show won’t be news and current affairs per se.”
“You see what he has done and what he has been particularly good at over his years in RTE.”
And when asked if Pat is to host a chat show she said: “I can’t say that. I’d lose my job.”
Experience: Pat hosted the Late Late Show for ten years | VIPIRELAND.COM
Pat confirmed yesterday that the new programme would be a far cry from his former RTE show.
“I don’t believe in going back and I don’t want to revisit Frontline so soon,” he said.
“It won’t be a 40-week commitment a year like the Late Late Show, that’s exhausting, I’ve done that already.”
“It will not be Prime Time either because that’s reflective of the day’s news and I’m not going to do a documentary series or anything,” he said.
New faces: Alison and Pat have joined UTV Ireland | VIPIRELAND.COM
Pat said he is hoping his show will be on before 10pm, and said he hopes it will be live.
“I’m hoping to be on pre-watershed, so before 10pm. It will be high energy and will be live as much as possible or quasi live, as in recorded live when necessary.”
Pat is the latest name to join UTV Ireland. Last week broadcaster Alison Comyn was announced as the face of their new current affairs programme Ireland Live.
