RTE Late Late Show loses thousands of viewers despite Patrick Kielty tearful moment

The RTE Late Late Show lost more than 30,000 viewers last week despite a poignant moment which was viewed online millions of times.

381,000 viewers on average tuned in to last Friday night's Late Late which featured guests like Anna Geary, Davy Russell, Barry Geraghty and Imelda May.

Despite the fall off in regular TV viewers, 26,000 people watched the show back on the RTE Player while various clips from the latest episode shared on social media have amassed over 5 million views.

One clip in particular, host Patrick Kielty paying tribute after the death of Toy Show star Saoirse Ruane, captured huge public interest. 12-year-old Saoirse died last week after a battle with illness.

In a segment on the show on Friday, Patrick recalled how "we all fell in love" with Saoirse on the Toy Show in 2020. He then thanked Saoirse and her family for inspiring the first Toy Show appeal in 2020, an initiative that has now raised millions for childrens' charities.

"Saoirse lit a touch paper in the same way she lit up our screens and lit up the lives of her family and friends," he added. The touching tribute has over two million views on social media.

From everyone on The Late Late Show we send our love tonight to Saoirses family. pic.twitter.com/Cc8eQjLq53

— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) March 8, 2024

Elsewhere, an average of 416,000 viewers tuned in to the Tommy Tiernan Show where fellow comedian John Bishop was the standout guest. The show increased its viewers from the previous week by 4,000.