Will grieving Patrick Kielty host The Late Late Show this week after the death of his mother?

Patrick Kielty was devastated by the death of his beloved mother Mary last weekend.

The Late Late Show host’s mother was laid to rest in Co. Down on Monday, following her passing last week.

While the funeral took place, Patrick’s wife Cat Deeley remained in London, where she presented Monday’s episode of This Morning as usual alongside her co-host Ben Shephard.

A spokesperson for Cat has since told MailOnline that she stayed in the UK to be with their two sons – Milo, 8, and James, 5 – who went to school as normal.

They said: “Cat remained at home to be there for her two young children before and after school on this very sad day.”

Mary Kielty’s death was announced last Saturday, just hours after her son hosted The Late Late Show on Friday night.

Since the news of her death broke, fans have been questioning whether Patrick would return to host RTÉ’s flagship programme this weekend.

Despite his grief, it appears the show must go on for the comedian.

In a series of radio promos today, Patrick invited viewers to join him for the programme’s St. Patrick’s Day special on Friday.

The guest lineup for the special is yet to be announced.

Patrick’s mother Mary became a widow when her husband John Kielty was shot dead by members of the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) in 1988.

Patrick was just 16 when his father was killed, and in 2023 he opened up about his death in the BBC documentary Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland.

Recalling the moment he was told of the death, Patrick said: “It was the very first Red Nose Day and I’d put the posters up all around the school.

“When I was called to the headmaster’s office, I thought I was going to get told off because I’d plastered the entire school with them. Then I got to his office and one of my dad’s business colleagues was there. That’s when I knew something was terribly wrong.”

“I remember thinking, ‘I need to get home. How’s my mum? Where’s everybody else?’ At the time you don’t realise you’re going through shock.”

“Growing up in Northern Ireland you had less of those chats because a lot of people knew what you were going through,” he added. “There was never anger.”

“It was a case of looking after mum and the family pulling together. The minute you’re angry then someone else has won.”