RTE has extended the Tommy Tiernan Show by six weeks due to popular demand.
The fan favourite show, renowned for its improvised format, was due to finish it’s ten week run next weekend, March 6.
But as viewers continue to flock to their screens every week to watch the Saturday night chat show with a twist, bosses have decided to cash in on the success and extend its run.
The hit series will now have a run of 16 weeks, with the final episode due to air on April 17.
An RTE spokesperson for the show told Irish Daily Mirror: “The Tommy Tiernan Show on RTÉ One has been extended by 6 additional weeks bringing the series to a total of 16 weeks.
"The final episode will air on Saturday 17th April."
“It is a much loved show and the love on social media for it and Tommy every weekend is constant," they added.
Recorded in the very studio where Tommy made his television debut with Gay Byrne decades ago, The Tommy Tiernan Show is now in its fifth season.
RTE confirmed the funnyman will be returning to the studio in the next few weeks to film the new episodes in line with current Covid 19 restrictions.
But due to the unique format where neither Tommy nor the viewers are told the identity of the guests in advance, viewers will have to wait to see who will be in the hot seat when they air.
The announcement will come as music to many fan's ears, after the series has been widely credited on social media week after week.
And the ratings back up the popularity online, with over 400,000 tuning in each week to watch the comic, who has been hailed as ‘a master of improvisation’ in action with his surprise guests.
Over 427,000 tuned in to watch last week’s show, which saw singer Philomena Begley recall her past as a truck driving woman, actress Helen Behan and Tommy chat about on screen shifts and Chris McNaghten talk about coming out to his dad.
On Valentines weekend, [Sat 13 Feb], 411,000 sat down to watch the show which featured interviews with author Marian Keyes, elephant care consultant at Dublin Zoo, Gerry Creighton and musician and visual artist, Dave Balfe.
Tommy’s open interview with former Irish Rugby captain Brian O'Driscoll and actor Stephen Rea caught headlines the week before, [Sat 6 Feb], and garnered over 431,000 viewers.
Former District Court Judge Gillian Hussey also featured on the show.
The Tommy Tiernan Show airs Saturday on RTÉ One at 9.50pm.
