The Irish in Britain, including those of Irish descent, make up a significant part of the UK population. Here, you will find news, entertainment, events, sports and features from the local Irish Post newspaper.

Kielty ready to stand-up and be counted

By Grainne McLoughlin

One of Ireland’s most successful and celebrated comedy talents Patrick Kielty is set to take to the stage on his first-ever British stand-up tour. After having a hugely prosperous career, mostly in television and presenting, the Northern Irish lad — who has interviewed guests including George Best, Noel Gallagher and Danni Minogue — wants to show live audiences his sharp wit at its unedited irreverent best.

Kielty studied psychology at Queen’s University in Belfast before BBC executives spotted his talent and was given his own network-prime time chat show on BBC1, Patrick Kielty Almost Live.

Having hosted a number of his own comedy shows, he went on to host Comic Relief does Fame Academy and Celebrity Love Island, making Kielty now one of the most sought-after presenters in the industry.

And his spot on the ITV1 Celebrity Love Island programme has seen him short-listed for a National Television Award later this year.

The Irish star, who opened The Empire — Belfast’s first stand up comedy club in the early 1990s —will travel throughout Britain and Ireland and will cap a hugely-successful 2005 for Kielty.

The tour begins in LBT, Huddersfield on October 1 and continues on to Cambridge Corn Exchange, October 6,  Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham October 8, Nottingham Playhouse, October 9, Glasgow Pavilion October 11, Seven Towers, Ballymena, October 12 and Brighton Corn Exchange, October 13.