Patrick Kielty last night went back to his rural roots as he hosted his first Late Late Show Country Music Special.
It’s been a challenging start to his time in the hot seat as an average of 830,000 people tuned into his first show last month. But almost 300,000 switched off over the next fortnight, with an average of only 548,000 last week.
To try to stem the tide, the comedian went to the country music dance halls of Co Down that Kielty, 52, said provided the “soundtrack” of his childhood. Arriving on stage wearing a Stetson hat, he immediately sang It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere with singer Gerry Guthrie.
Read more: Patrick Kielty shows off new cowboy look ahead of first Late Late Show country music special
The show started with “Drumlish cowboy” Declan Nerney being inducted into the Irish Country Music Hall of Fame, following in the footsteps of Daniel O’Donnell, Philomena Begley and Margo.
Nerney beamed: “I am very honoured. I wasn’t expecting that at all.
“I was thrilled to be invited here as a guest but to have this honour is something else.”
Country music fan Fr Brian D’Arcy, a long-time friend of Nerney’s, said: “I went to see him one night and I knew instantly, ‘This guy has got it’.
“He knows how to hold an audience. He knows what a dancing audience needs. Every show is a hooley.”
Queen of country Begley also paid tribute to Nerney, with whom she recently toured. She also did a well-received dance with Kielty last night, who quipped: “I told you I’d get a spin before the end of the night.”
A sprightly Begley joked back: “That’s not a nice thing to do to a woman of 81 years of age.”
Heart-throb Nathan Carter performed with renowned Co Clare musician Sharon Shannon. While other highlights included Derek Ryan performing with the Tumbling Paddies and a duet between Mike Denver and Sandy Kelly.
Tyrone star Cliona Hagan also delighted the packed attendance with a rendition of a Dolly Parton classic.
The show was drawn to a close by The Three Amigos, the crowd-pleasing band featuring Jimmy Buckley, Robert Mizzell and Patrick Feeney.
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