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Patrick Kielty
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Patrick Kielty (born January 31, 1971) is a Northern Irish comedian and television personality. He was born in Dundrum, County Down, Northern Ireland.
as affected by the Troubles in Northern Ireland. His father, businessman Jack Kielty, was murdered by the Ulster Freedom Fighters, a loyalist paramilitary group. Jack Kielty was to be the prime witness in British Central Television's defence of a libel action brought by prominent UDA extortionist Jim Craig.
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Encyclopedia
Patrick Kielty (born January 31, 1971) is a Northern Irish comedian and television personality. He was born in Dundrum, County Down, Northern Ireland.
Background
He was affected by the Troubles in Northern Ireland. His father, businessman Jack Kielty, was murdered by the Ulster Freedom Fighters, a loyalist paramilitary group. Jack Kielty was to be the prime 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. Of six men convicted in connection with the murder, four were former members of the British Army. Jack Kielty had no ties to any political or paramilitary grouping.
Patrick Kielty formerly dated Amanda Byram, who has worked for the Irish TV channel TV3 and Channel 4 in the UK. He joked that due to the fact that she was from the Republic of Ireland their relationship received cross-border funding.
Comedy & television career
Even at St Patrick's Grammar School in Downpatrick, 'Paddy' Kielty began to develop his comedy piece. The school held an annual Christmas concert where students would perform a variety of pieces. Kielty featured annually in the show 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 become 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 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 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.
In 2006 Kielty returned to the stand-up scene with a brand new UK tour. A DVD, filmed at Belfast's Waterfront Hall, was later released.
In 2007, Kielty was given the rare opportunity of interviewing Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair shortly after the finalisation of the Northern Ireland peace agreement on May 8.
Winter 2007 sees Kielty embark in the UK production of A Night in November a comedy play written by fellow Northern Irelander Marie Jones, author of Stones in His Pockets.
Criticism
Kielty received some criticism in March 2007 when presenting a live episode of Comic Relief does Fame Academy when he referred to Radio 1 DJ 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."
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 Dublin auditorium.
In April 2008 Kielty was detected speeding at over 100mph in Scotland. He pleaded guilty to the offence by letter at Stranraer Sheriff Court and was due to appear in court in May 2008.
Trivia
- Owns a De Lorean DMC-12.
- Kielty also 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.
- Is known to be very unpopular with rival comics. "I thinks it's because I'm about as funny as a burning orphanage" admits Kielty.
- Kielty played for The Rest Of The World XI against an England XI at Old Trafford for Soccer Aid last summer. He played as goalkeeper, replacing Peter Schmeichel at half-time. England won 2-1 but Kielty kept a clean sheet.
- Kielty was a member of the Down panel which won the 1987 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship, although he did not appear in the final.
- Kielty took part in Irish TV's "Celebrity Bainisteoir (Manager in Irish)" and took charge of London's Tír Chonaill Gaels in a challenge match against Maryland GAA Club from Westmeath (Managed by Marty Whelan). Kielty guided his team to victory by 2 points (1-06 to 0-7)
Filmography
- Get Up, Stand Up, released in 1998
- Patrick Kielty Live, released in 2006
External links
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