28 people to be exact
The 61st series of the 'Late Late Show' kicks off this Friday, and according to the host there will be a studio audience for the first time in over a year and a half.
Ryan Tubridy is gearing up for the return of the light entertainment show later this week. Speaking on his RTÉ Radio 1 show this Monday morning, he revealed that there will be a "very, very small" audience allowed inside of the studio.
Like many live TV show productions across the world since March 2020, a fully functional live studio audience hasn't been allowed, with there either being no attendees at all, or a very limited amount. The full run of the 60th season of the 'Late Late Show' didn't feature anyone in the studio audience.
Speaking about this Friday's launch, Ryan said: "We have a very, very small audience for the first time in... What was it? Forty-nine shows we did straight without an audience?
"We normally would have 200 people there; I think we're going to have an audience of 28. Now, that to me is a whole lot better than an audience of nothing. So, I'll take 28 because as a show-off that loves attention, that'll do me fine!
"It's a start. And we always said that we'll only return with an audience when everyone else can have an audience so if you can have a little audience the way you have in theatres whatever, we'll do it that way. And then, when it goes bigger and bigger, we'll go bigger and bigger.
"So, that's a good start. And then I'll start telling you about the guests during the week because they're terrific."
The lineup of guests who will join Ryan has yet to be revealed, so stay tuned to hear who the host has managed to appear on the season premiere. Last season saw a mix of celebrities appear in-studio and via video, including Noel Gallagher, Nicola Coughlan, Dolly Parton and Matthew McConaughey.
Tune into the first episode of season 61 of the 'Late Late Show' this Friday, September 3, on RTÉ one at 9.35 pm.