Patrick Kielty
Encyclopedia
Patrick Kielty is an Irish
comedian and television personality from Dundrum
, Northern Ireland
.
in Northern Ireland. On 25 January 1988 his father, businessman Jack Kielty, was shot dead by the Ulster Defence Association
(UDA)/"Ulster Freedom Fighters" (UFF), a loyalist
paramilitary group. Jack Kielty was to be the key witness in British Central Television's defence of a libel action brought by prominent UDA extortionist Jim Craig
. Craig, who was suing the television company over a broadcast of The Cook Report
, which connected him to racketeering, is said to have ordered Mr Kielty's murder.
Patrick Kielty formerly dated Amanda Byram
, who has worked for the Irish TV channel TV3 and Channel 4
in the UK. He joked that because she was from the Republic of Ireland
their relationship received cross-border funding. He is a former minor footballer with Down GAA
.
Kielty's career started while he was still a student at Queen's University of Belfast. He became well known locally for his stand-up comedy routines at The Empire pub comedy nights -The Empire Laughs Back. One of his regular routines involved donning a balaclava and making spoof paramilitary pronouncements.
In the early 1990s Kielty won the Guinness Entertainer of the Year in INF
Warrenpoint
, an event fronted by Sean Mallon who is said to have given a young and inexperienced Kielty the courage to go on stage for the first time ever.
In 1993 Kielty presented the show SUS on UTV
. He later became the warm-up act for a BBC Northern Ireland
programme Anderson on the Box presented by local personality Gerry Anderson
. When this show was axed, he presented its replacement, PK Tonight
. Although this ran for only a year and was only shown in Northern Ireland, it did attract the attention of London-based broadcasters and Kielty graduated to presenting programmes such as Last Chance Lottery
and Patrick Kielty Almost Live
which were shown throughout the UK. He also presented a series of After The Break
. He did an impersonation of Martin McGuinness
singing the Simon and Garfunkel
song, "Bridge over Troubled Water
". McGuinness and Art Garfunkel
are said to have similar features.
Kielty continues to appear on national television, although he has left much of his political comedy background behind, tending to favour light-entertainment shows such as the BBC
's Fame Academy
, Comic Relief does Fame Academy
and Love Island
for ITV
in both 2005 and 2006. Also in 2006 Kielty hosted a segment on ITV
's coverage of The Prince's Trust
30th Birthday LIVE alongside Kate Thornton
.
Kielty hosted the original pilot of the American version of Deal or No Deal
for ABC
in early 2004. However, ABC decided against airing the series, which ended up on NBC
, with Canadian comedian Howie Mandel
as host.
In 2006 Kielty returned to the stand-up scene with a brand new UK tour. A DVD, filmed at Belfast
's Grand Opera House
, was later released.
In 2007 Kielty began work on the UK production of A Night in November
, a comedy play written by Marie Jones
, author of Stones in His Pockets
.
The same year he also was a guest on the BBC
's third series of Live at the Apollo.
Kielty sits in for Alan Carr
on his BBC Radio 2
show when Alan is on holidays.
Patrick hosted the Saturday morning show on BBC Radio 2
which started on the 24 July 2010 and it ran for 10 weeks.
Kielty presented Sport Relief 2010
alongside Fearne Cotton
and others.
In 2010, Kielty took part in Channel 4's Comedy Gala
, a benefit show
held in aid of Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital
, filmed live at the O2 Arena
in London on 30 March.
Kielty was the host of the first series of Channel 4's Stand Up for the Week
, which began in June 2010 and ran for six weeks.
, Kielty referred to BBC Radio 1
disc jockey
contestant Colin Murray
as a "big gayer". Three complaints were made to Ofcom
and the BBC as the comments were perceived by some as homophobic and offensive. The BBC responded saying that the line was unscripted and "spur of the moment" but that Kielty had been reminded "to be more careful during the remaining live shows". He would later apologise on Have I Got News for You
.
In September 2007, Kielty apologised after joking about the disappearance of Madeleine McCann during filming of a TV show. The comments prompted several outraged audience members to leave the Olympia Theatre
, whilst he was still performing.
On 20 January 2010, when Kielty was a guest on The One Show
, he revealed Christine Bleakley
's mobile number to the camera
, to prove that he had her number to celebrate their double birthday
celebrations. Within five minutes of Kielty's mistake Bleakley was bombarded with calls and text messages. She has since changed her number.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
comedian and television personality from Dundrum
Dundrum, County Down
Dundrum is a village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is beside Dundrum Bay, about 4 miles outside Newcastle on the A2 road. The town is best known for its ruined Norman castle. It had a population of 1,065 people in the 2001 Census....
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
Background
He was affected by The TroublesThe Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
in Northern Ireland. On 25 January 1988 his father, businessman Jack Kielty, was shot dead by the Ulster Defence Association
Ulster Defence Association
The Ulster Defence Association is the largest although not the deadliest loyalist paramilitary and vigilante group in Northern Ireland. It was formed in September 1971 and undertook a campaign of almost twenty-four years during "The Troubles"...
(UDA)/"Ulster Freedom Fighters" (UFF), a loyalist
Ulster loyalism
Ulster loyalism is an ideology that is opposed to a united Ireland. It can mean either support for upholding Northern Ireland's status as a constituent part of the United Kingdom , support for Northern Ireland independence, or support for loyalist paramilitaries...
paramilitary group. Jack Kielty was to be the key witness in British Central Television's defence of a libel action brought by prominent UDA extortionist Jim Craig
James Craig (loyalist)
James Pratt "Jim" Craig was a Northern Irish loyalist, who served as a fund-raiser for the Ulster Defence Association and sat on its Inner Council. He also ran a large protection racket from west Belfast's Shankill Road area, where he lived...
. Craig, who was suing the television company over a broadcast of The Cook Report
The Cook Report
The Cook Report was a British current affairs television programme shown on ITV, produced for the network by Central Television from 1987 to 1998.-History:...
, which connected him to racketeering, is said to have ordered Mr Kielty's murder.
Patrick Kielty formerly dated Amanda Byram
Amanda Byram
Amanda Byram is an Irish television presenter, originally from Castleknock in Dublin, Ireland.-Early life:Formerly a model, Byram started her career on television in 1999 presenting the TV3 morning show Ireland AM with Mark Cagney, during which time she met her then boyfriend comedian Patrick...
, who has worked for the Irish TV channel TV3 and Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
in the UK. He joked that because she was from the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
their relationship received cross-border funding. He is a former minor footballer with Down GAA
Down GAA
The Down County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Down GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Down...
.
Comedy and television career
Kielty showed promise as a comedian already in his early years. His school held an annual holiday concert and Kielty featured annually with impersonations of local politicians, media personalities, and sportsmen.Kielty's career started while he was still a student at Queen's University of Belfast. He became well known locally for his stand-up comedy routines at The Empire pub comedy nights -The Empire Laughs Back. One of his regular routines involved donning a balaclava and making spoof paramilitary pronouncements.
In the early 1990s Kielty won the Guinness Entertainer of the Year in INF
Irish National Foresters
The Irish National Foresters' Benefit Society is an Irish friendly society.The INF began in 1877 as a breakaway from the Ancient Order of Foresters after political disagreements. The INF grew rapidly and soon became the largest friendly society in Ireland...
Warrenpoint
Warrenpoint
Warrenpoint is a small town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies on the northern shore of Carlingford Lough and is separated from the Republic of Ireland by a narrow strait. The town sprang up within the townland of Ringmackilroy...
, an event fronted by Sean Mallon who is said to have given a young and inexperienced Kielty the courage to go on stage for the first time ever.
In 1993 Kielty presented the show SUS on UTV
UTV
UTV is a television channel based in the UK region of Northern Ireland. The channel is the Channel 3 or Independent Television licensee for Northern Ireland and is operated by UTV Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of UTV Media.- Terrestrial :* Analogue: Normally tuned to 3 * Freeview : 3...
. He later became the warm-up act for a BBC Northern Ireland
BBC Northern Ireland
BBC Northern Ireland is the main public service broadcaster in Northern Ireland.The organisation is one of the three national regions of the BBC, together with BBC Scotland and BBC Wales. Based at Broadcasting House, Belfast, it provides television, radio, online and interactive television content...
programme Anderson on the Box presented by local personality Gerry Anderson
Gerry Anderson (broadcaster)
Gerald Michael Anderson, known professionally as Gerry Anderson , is a Sony Award-winning radio and television broadcaster from Derry, Northern Ireland who works for BBC Northern Ireland, and is a member of the Radio Academy Hall of fame...
. When this show was axed, he presented its replacement, PK Tonight
PK Tonight
PK Tonight was a TV programme from Northern Ireland presented by the comedian Patrick Kielty. It was axed in 1995 after only one year on air. PK Tonight earned Patrick Kielty a Royal Television Society Award for ‘Best Regional Presenter’...
. Although this ran for only a year and was only shown in Northern Ireland, it did attract the attention of London-based broadcasters and Kielty graduated to presenting programmes such as Last Chance Lottery
Last Chance Lottery
Last Chance Lottery was a 1997 UK TV gameshow broadcast on Channel 4, presented by Irish comedian Patrick Kielty. The show's current director is Stephen Stewart. Its company that produces it is Green Inc. Productions....
and Patrick Kielty Almost Live
Patrick Kielty Almost Live
Patrick Kielty Almost Live was a Friday night aired chat show aired between 1999 and 2003 hosted by Northern Irish comedian Patrick Kielty. It was filmed in Belfast....
which were shown throughout the UK. He also presented a series of After The Break
Commercial Breakdown
Commercial Breakdown is a BBC/Celador light entertainment television programme which shows humorous television advertisements from around the world.-History:...
. He did an impersonation of Martin McGuinness
Martin McGuinness
James Martin Pacelli McGuinness is an Irish Sinn Féin politician and the current deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland. McGuinness was also the Sinn Féin candidate for the Irish presidential election, 2011. He was born in Derry, Northern Ireland....
singing the Simon and Garfunkel
Simon and Garfunkel
Simon & Garfunkel are an American duo consisting of singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel. They formed the group Tom & Jerry in 1957 and had their first success with the minor hit "Hey, Schoolgirl". As Simon & Garfunkel, the duo rose to fame in 1965, largely on the strength of the...
song, "Bridge over Troubled Water
Bridge over Troubled Water (song)
"Bridge Over Troubled Water" is the title song of Simon & Garfunkel's album of the same name. The single was released on January 26, 1970, though it also appears on the live album Live 1969, released in 2008. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on February 28, 1970, and stayed at...
". McGuinness and Art Garfunkel
Art Garfunkel
Arthur Ira "Art" Garfunkel is an American singer-songwriter, poet, and actor, best known as being a member of the folk duo Simon & Garfunkel...
are said to have similar features.
Kielty continues to appear on national television, although he has left much of his political comedy background behind, tending to favour light-entertainment shows such as the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
's Fame Academy
Fame Academy
Fame Academy is a televised competition to search for and educate new musical talents. The winner received a chance to become a successful music artist. The prize consisted of a £1m recording contract with a major record company, plus the use of a luxury apartment in London and a sports car for one...
, Comic Relief does Fame Academy
Comic Relief Does Fame Academy
Comic Relief Does Fame Academy is a spin-off of the original Fame Academy show where celebrities sing as students of the Academy. The programme was launched in 2003 to help raise money for the charities supported by Comic Relief, with the final of the show occurring on Red Nose Day...
and Love Island
Love Island
Love Island was a daily British reality television programme. In the show, twelve single celebrities spent five weeks on an island in Fiji. Viewers would vote for the couple they would like to see in the "love shack" where the two would get to know one another better...
for ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
in both 2005 and 2006. Also in 2006 Kielty hosted a segment on ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
's coverage of The Prince's Trust
The Prince's Trust
The Prince's Trust is a charity in the United Kingdom founded in 1976 by Charles, Prince of Wales to help young people. They run a range of training programmes, provide mentoring support and offer financial grants to build the confidence and motivation of disadvantaged young people...
30th Birthday LIVE alongside Kate Thornton
Kate Thornton
Kate Thornton is an English journalist and television presenter. Early in her career, she was notable for her articles at the Daily Mirror and for her role as editor of Smash Hits magazine...
.
Kielty hosted the original pilot of the American version of Deal or No Deal
Deal or No Deal (US game show)
Deal or No Deal is the American version of the international game show of Dutch origin of the same name. The show was hosted by Howie Mandel, and premiered on December 19, 2005, on National Broadcasting Company . The hour-long show typically aired at least twice a week during its run, and included...
for ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
in early 2004. However, ABC decided against airing the series, which ended up on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
, with Canadian comedian Howie Mandel
Howie Mandel
Howard Michael "Howie" Mandel is a Canadian stand-up comedian, television host, and actor. He is well known as host of the NBC game show Deal or No Deal, as well as the show's daytime and Canadian-English counterparts. Before his career as a game show host, Mandel was best known for his role on...
as host.
In 2006 Kielty returned to the stand-up scene with a brand new UK tour. A DVD, filmed at Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
's Grand Opera House
Grand Opera House
Grand Opera House may refer to:in Canada*Grand Opera House in England*Grand Opera House in France*Palais Garnier in Paris, often called the "Grand Opera House"in Northern Ireland*Grand Opera House in the United States...
, was later released.
In 2007 Kielty began work on the UK production of A Night in November
A Night in November
A Night in November is a 1994 monodrama written by Marie Jones about one man's struggle with national identity during The Troubles in Northern Ireland.-Plot summary:...
, a comedy play written by Marie Jones
Marie Jones
Sarah Marie Jones is a Belfast-based actress and playwright. Born into a working class family, Jones was an actress for several years before turning her hand to writing.-Charabanc/DubbelJoint:...
, author of Stones in His Pockets
Stones in His Pockets
Stones in His Pockets is a two-hander written in 1996 by Marie Jones for the DubbleJoint Theatre Company in Dublin, Ireland.-Plot summary:...
.
The same year he also was a guest on the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
's third series of Live at the Apollo.
Kielty sits in for Alan Carr
Alan Carr
Alan Carr is an English comedian and television personality. Born in Weymouth, he was raised in Northampton before moving to Manchester during his early 20's....
on his BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
show when Alan is on holidays.
Patrick hosted the Saturday morning show on BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
which started on the 24 July 2010 and it ran for 10 weeks.
Kielty presented Sport Relief 2010
Sport Relief 2010
Sport Relief 2010, was a fund raising event organised by Sport Relief, broadcast live on BBC One and BBC Two from the evening of 19 March 2010 to early the following morning...
alongside Fearne Cotton
Fearne Cotton
Fearne Cotton is an English television and radio presenter who is known for presenting a number of popular TV programmes such as Top of the Pops and the Red Nose Day telethon. In 2007, she became the first regular female presenter of BBC Radio 1's Chart Show...
and others.
In 2010, Kielty took part in Channel 4's Comedy Gala
Channel 4's Comedy Gala
Channel 4's Comedy Gala is a British stand-up comedy benefit show organised Channel 4 in aid of the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital. The gig is filmed live at the O2 Arena in London, and then broadcast later by Channel 4...
, a benefit show
Benefit concert
A benefit concert or charity concert is a concert, show or gala featuring musicians, comedians, or other performers that is held for a charitable purpose, often directed at a specific and immediate humanitarian crisis. Such events raise both funds and public awareness to address the cause at...
held in aid of Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital
Great Ormond Street Hospital
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children is a children's hospital located in London, United Kingdom...
, filmed live at the O2 Arena
The O2 arena (London)
The O2 Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in the centre of The O2, a large entertainment complex on the Greenwich peninsula in London, England.With a capacity of up to 20,000 depending on the event, it is second largest...
in London on 30 March.
Kielty was the host of the first series of Channel 4's Stand Up for the Week
Stand Up for the Week
Stand Up for the Week is a British television comedy series shown on Channel 4, featuring stand-up comedy performances reflecting topical events. The show began in June 2010 with a six-episode series aired on Friday nights, moving to Saturday nights for the second series which began in March 2011...
, which began in June 2010 and ran for six weeks.
Controversy
In March 2007, when presenting a live episode of Comic Relief Does Fame AcademyComic Relief Does Fame Academy
Comic Relief Does Fame Academy is a spin-off of the original Fame Academy show where celebrities sing as students of the Academy. The programme was launched in 2003 to help raise money for the charities supported by Comic Relief, with the final of the show occurring on Red Nose Day...
, Kielty referred to BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
disc jockey
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
contestant Colin Murray
Colin Murray
Colin Murray is a Northern Irish sports and music radio and television presenter. He is the current host of the BBC Television show Match of the Day 2 on BBC Two, and the BBC Radio 5 Live shows 5 Live Sport and Fighting Talk, as well as a show on BBC Radio Ulster. He has previously hosted regular...
as a "big gayer". Three complaints were made to Ofcom
Ofcom
Ofcom is the government-approved regulatory authority for the broadcasting and telecommunications industries in the United Kingdom. Ofcom was initially established by the Office of Communications Act 2002. It received its full authority from the Communications Act 2003...
and the BBC as the comments were perceived by some as homophobic and offensive. The BBC responded saying that the line was unscripted and "spur of the moment" but that Kielty had been reminded "to be more careful during the remaining live shows". He would later apologise on Have I Got News for You
Have I Got News for You
Have I Got News for You is a British television panel show produced by Hat Trick Productions for the BBC. It is based loosely on the BBC Radio 4 show The News Quiz, and has been broadcast since 1990, currently the BBC's longest-ever running television panel show...
.
In September 2007, Kielty apologised after joking about the disappearance of Madeleine McCann during filming of a TV show. The comments prompted several outraged audience members to leave the Olympia Theatre
Olympia Theatre, Dublin
The Olympia Theatre is a concert hall/theatre venue in Dublin, Ireland, located in Dame Street.-History:Built in 1879, it was originally called the "Star of Erin Music Hall". Two years later in 1881, it was renamed "Dan Lowrey's Music Hall" and was renamed again in 1889 to "Dan Lowrey's Palace of...
, whilst he was still performing.
On 20 January 2010, when Kielty was a guest on The One Show
The One Show
The One Show is a topical magazine-style daily television programme broadcast live on BBC One and BBC One HD, hosted by Alex Jones and Matt Baker. Chris Evans joins Jones to present the programme on Friday...
, he revealed Christine Bleakley
Christine Bleakley
Christine Louise Bleakley is a television presenter from Northern Ireland. She joined Daybreak on ITV as co-presenter with Adrian Chiles in September 2010...
's mobile number to the camera
Camera
A camera is a device that records and stores images. These images may be still photographs or moving images such as videos or movies. The term camera comes from the camera obscura , an early mechanism for projecting images...
, to prove that he had her number to celebrate their double birthday
Birthday
A birthday is a day or anniversary where a person celebrates his or her date of birth. Birthdays are celebrated in numerous cultures, often with a gift, party or rite of passage. Although the major religions celebrate the birth of their founders , Christmas – which is celebrated widely by...
celebrations. Within five minutes of Kielty's mistake Bleakley was bombarded with calls and text messages. She has since changed her number.
Filmography
- Dont Shoot, I've Got a Bomb, released in 1995
- Get Up, Stand Up, released in 1998
- Patrick Kielty Live, released in 2006
External links
- Patrick Kielty at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- http://www.spectator.co.uk/the-magazine/features/292571/a-child-of-the-troubles-with-a-smile-on-his-face.thtml
- Unreality TV - Patrick Kielty on Celebrity Love Island News, Gossip and Chat