From James Corden to Ryan Tubridy – why the kings of chat are quitting the hot seat

With audiences declining, can chat shows survive – and what does the future hold for the soon-to-be-announced ‘Late Late’ host

Chatterboxes – (clockwise from left) Gay Byrne, Graham Norton, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Ryan Tubridy, Samantha Bee, Trevor Noah and James Corden

Dónal Lynch

Earlier this month, betting giant Ladbrokes dramatically suspended betting on who the new Late Late Show host would be. ‘Insiders’, it was reported, had already detected the proverbial white smoke emanating from Montrose.