The Toy Show is here and we recommend keeping tissues on hand because it looks like it’s going to be another emotional one.
The show, which on the surface may have a consumerist tinge to it, couldn’t be further from the title suggests.
From reunions to making dreams come true for the little ones on the show, the Toy Show has become more about the kids than what to pick out of the toy catalogue.
“There is something brilliant about the Toy Show, that it means so much to families and it means so much to people around the world,” Patrick Kielty tells VIP Magazine about the beloved show.
This year, he surprised mam of two Sarah with a pair of Toy Show tickets to mark her birthday. The clip has been doing the rounds and it really showcases the spirit of The Toy Show.
“There are so many people this time of year that people want to thank and want to connect to. To just be a tiny bit of the connector in the middle that gets me every time. I’m gone every time in a good way!” he tells us.
This spirit will be highlighted once again in a very first for The Toy Show as there will be a 32-county parade with a child from every county in Ireland being part of the “parade” at the beginning of the show.
“For me everybody owns the Toy Show and wherever you are on the island or around the world if you’re Irish. You saw when we surprised the little guy from Monaghan and what that meant to them.
“I know what it means to whoever is supporting County Down, so I just think whatever we can do on the show whether that be a parade or give ownership to the kids you can just see how proud they are that they are representing their county.”
He adds with a laugh: “Hopefully we will get through all of that.”
And while he is helming the show for the second year he is clear that “nobody owns the Toy Show.”
“When I got the Late Late Show job, I’m like the lighthouse keeper and I pass it on, and that goes double for the Toy Show. Tomorrow the kids are in charge and all planning goes out the window.
“There is no amount of prep or looking out of the window tomorrow, you are really just bluffing yourself. You just have to go out there and see where it takes you.”
The Toy Show airs tonight on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player at 9.35pm
