Each year, we all look forward to the annual Late Late Toy Show as the official start of Christmas. However, much like everything else, this year will be a little different.
Host Ryan Tubridy has opened up about this year’s show, promising it will be like ‘no other’.
Speaking on his radio segment, Ryan revealed that one scene in particular, of children from around Ireland performing a song, brought tears to his eyes as he thought of the impact that COVID may have on these children and their grandparents.
“I haven’t shed a tear for a long time. I tend to cry when it’s really called for, I don’t turn them on.
“And yesterday, the Toy Show people showed me something and I didn’t know where to look because I’m Irish and I’m a man and I was kind of mortified.
“But it was this scene that involved children from around the world of Irish heritage and who are from Ireland, and they were singing a song.”
Ryan continued, “I can’t tell you too much, but I’ll just tell you it was so beautiful and so emotional and I’ve just realised, I was thinking of the grandparents who aren’t going to see these gorgeous grandchildren all over the world for the first time in a long time. Or maybe ever. And then those people thinking: ‘Well, will I get to see them at all again and hold them and hug them?’
“And the whole pandemic just came down on top of me in one go and I was just deeply moved by it all.
“It was just very, very emotional footage that I was looking at of these kids and the roll of the dice that this generation has got. But I think it’s going to be ok. It was just very, very gorgeous.”
RTE has confirmed the date of this year’s Toy Show, in a video shared on social media, they revealed it will be “the most important toy show ever.
“Christmas is not cancelled! Yeah, we went there, we used the C-word.
“Gather together (just within your own household or online of course!) and join us as we get ready for possibly the most important Toy Show ever.”
Ryan Tubridy said: “It’s been a very strange year and that’s why this Christmas is so important. “It’s also why this year’s Late Late Toy Show is possibly the most important of all time.
“We’re going to be singing, we’re going to be dancing, we’re going to be playing with toys and we’re going to be having lots and lots and lots of fun.
“So we need you to gather together and join us and let’s make Christmas…Christmas.”
The Late Late Toy Show will air on RTÉ One on 27 November at 9.35pm.
