What happened to Patrick Kielty’s father? – Patrick Kielty, born on January 31, 1971, is an Irish comedian and television personality from Northern Ireland.

During his teenage years, Kielty showed talent as a Gaelic footballer and was part of the Down GAA minor football team from 1987 to 1989. He even served as the substitute goalkeeper when the team won the 1987 All Ireland Minor Football Championship.

Patrick Kielty’s career in entertainment began while he was a student at St Patrick’s Grammar School in Downpatrick. Encouraged by a Games master who recognized his knack for impersonations, Kielty started performing regularly. As a psychology student at Queen’s University Belfast, he embarked on his professional career.

In 1991, Patrick Kielty and his friend Jackie Hamilton visited Dublin’s stand-up club, The Gasworks, where they encountered established UK acts making their Irish debuts. This experience inspired them to open their own comedy club, The Empire, in Belfast. Kielty’s talent caught the attention of Billy Magra/McGrath, leading to his appearance as a finalist in a National Comedy Search for Ireland’s popular TV show, The Late Late Show.

Kielty’s success on the show paved the way for the BBC Northern Ireland series The Empire Laughs Back, produced by Jackie Hamilton. Notably, one of his routines involved comedic paramilitary impersonations.

In 1993, Kielty hosted the show SUS on UTV and became the warm-up act for BBC Northern Ireland’s Anderson on the Box, presented by Gerry Anderson. When the show ended, Kielty hosted its successor, PK Tonight.

Although the show was only broadcast in Northern Ireland, it caught the attention of broadcasters in London, earning Kielty the “Best Newcomer” Award at the 1996 Royal Television Society Awards. In 1997, he co-founded the Belfast-based TV production company Green Inc, producing shows such as The Afternoon Show, Patrick Kielty Almost Live, and Ask Rhod Gilbert. Kielty later sold his share in the company.

He went on to host various programs, including Last Chance Lottery and Patrick Kielty Almost Live, reaching audiences across the UK. Notably, he conducted George Best’s first TV interview after the former football star’s liver transplant.

Kielty’s television career also includes hosting comedy game shows like Stupid Punts and presenting series such as After The Break. He made appearances on national television, including BBC’s Fame Academy, Comic Relief Does Fame Academy, and Love Island.

In 2003, he hosted the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics in Dublin, which garnered a global audience of 800 million viewers. Kielty has also hosted shows for ITV and ABC, including the original pilot series of the American version of Deal or No Deal.

In addition to his television work, Kielty returned to stand-up comedy in 2006, embarking on a UK tour and releasing a DVD of his performance at Belfast’s Grand Opera House. He also appeared in the play A Night in November in Belfast and London.

Kielty has been a guest on shows like Live at the Apollo and has presented documentaries, including Patrick Kielty’s Mulholland Drive, focusing on the life of William Mullholland and the California Water Wars. He has also hosted chat shows such as Delete, Delete, Delete and quiz shows like Debatable.

In 2018, Kielty presented the documentary My Dad, the Peace Deal and Me, which explored the state of Northern Ireland twenty years after the Good Friday Agreement. He has made guest appearances on The One Show and participated in the RTÉ series All the Walks of Life. Finally, on May 20, 2023, Kielty was confirmed as the new host of RTÉ’s The Late Late Show, succeeding Ryan Tubridy.

Apart from his television career, Kielty has been involved in radio, including hosting shows on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 4. He has also showcased his talents on stage, performing in the play A Night in November and embarking on a stand-up tour in 2022.

What happened to Patrick Kielty’s father?

Jack Kielty, the father of Patrick Kielty, was a prominent businessman who tragically met a devastating fate on January 25, 1988. The incident occurred in the offices of his building firm located in County Down, Northern Ireland. Loyalist paramilitary group, the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF), carried out the attack, resulting in Jack’s untimely death at the age of 45.

The circumstances surrounding the brutal act were harrowing. Jack’s office became the target of a ruthless assault, as bullets were mercilessly sprayed throughout the space. The assailants showed no mercy, leaving Jack with no chance of survival. The devastating event sent shockwaves through the community and left the Kielty family grappling with profound grief and loss.

The murder of Jack Kielty was not only a personal tragedy but also a highly controversial incident with broader implications. Jack’s involvement in an ongoing legal case added a layer of complexity to the situation. Prior to his death, he was slated to serve as a key witness in a libel action taken against Central Television by Jim Craig. Craig, who was suing the television company over a broadcast of The Cook Report, had been linked to racketeering in the program. Speculation arose that Jack’s murder was orchestrated to prevent him from testifying and potentially strengthening Central Television’s defense.

The loss of Jack Kielty remains a painful chapter in the life of Patrick Kielty and his family. It serves as a stark reminder of the violence and turmoil that plagued Northern Ireland during that time, leaving lasting scars on individuals, families, and communities affected by the Troubles. Despite the tragedy, Patrick Kielty has shown resilience and used his platform as a comedian and television personality to advocate for peace and reconciliation in his native land.