Patrick Kielty has fans in tears with TV sign-off as he shares own heartbreak
Patrick Kielty left viewers in tears when he addressed the war in the Middle East following his own devastating family loss.
The Late Late Show host, 52, who is married to Cat Deeley, sent a message of hope to families suffering in Israel and Palestine as the death toll tragically tipped more than 3,600 following the bloody battle in Gaza.
As he signed off his show on RTE on Saturday, telling the audience the "hurt on both sides are sadly the same", Patrick's message was especially poignant following the loss of his father, who was killed by the Ulster Freedom Fighters during The Troubles in Northern Ireland.
The TV star's father Jack, who worked as a building contractor, was shot by members of the UFF in 1988 aged 44 after refusing to pay protection money.
Assuring viewers 'things can get better', the presenter said the people of Ireland are “living our own miracle”, adding he hoped those suffering during the Israel-Hamas conflict will see their own 'miracle soon'.
Jake Paul calls on John Fury to make retirement bet for fight with son Tommy
Patrick Kielty left viewers in tears after addressing the war in the Middle East following his own devastating loss (RTE)Patrick's uplifting message brought many of the audience to tears with viewers also taking to social media, praising the star. One said: "Kielty showing what most entertainers and politicians are lacking. Fair, balanced, empathetic, heartfelt, hopeful. Well done. He really is a class act."
As he closed Friday night’s episode on RTE, which is the Irish national broadcaster, the father-of-two said: “There are no words that will even touch the sides on the pain and the loss and the ongoing horror that has been felt by so many tonight.
“But as someone who grew up during a conflict where the rights and wrongs of politics were always writ large, one common truth was the hurt and the pain on both sides was sadly the same.We all shared something, but we just didn’t realise it at the time – and there were days when we thought it would never end.”
Patrick continued: “Tonight, there are many parents and children in Israel and in Gaza who also think this will never end and are praying for a miracle to make it stop.
Patrick was just 16 when his father, Jack, was shot dead (Dave Benett/WireImage)
The presenter is married to Cat Deeley (James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock)“In the midst of despair, miracles are hard to believe in but it’s worth remembering that we are currently living our own miracle on this island because we are living in peace.
“And for all those in Israel and Palestine tonight, it mightn’t seem like it but there is always hope and we hope that your miracle comes soon.”
Patrick was just 16 when his dad, Jack Kielty, was shot dead. The County Down-born star has presented documentaries about The Troubles in Northern Ireland, including the BBC programme My Dad, The Peace Deal And Me, about his father’s death at the hands of paramilitary gunmen.
The show coincided with the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and saw the comedian return to his home town of Dundrum to see if the historic peace deal had delivered on its promise to create a new Northern Ireland.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
