Ryan Tubridy has revealed that he does not watch The Late Late show back after it goes out live on a Friday evening, but he makes an exception with the Toy Show.
The host explained that he feels more authentic while presenting the Toy Show than during his normal role on the chat show.
“It’s the only Late Late Show of the year that I look back on,” he said.
“Because in some ways it’s not me presenting it, it’s a cartoon version of me. If you ever wanted to get a glimpse of what I’m like in real life, as opposed to the weekly thing which is just my job, the Toy Show is more the essence of me.”
He added: “I remember watching it as a kid thinking, ‘I’d love to be in that’.”
The star has been presenting the show for ten years now and got emotional while talking about what he loves about the show.
“Kids are coming in to see us today from all around the country, kids with some really difficult lives that they’ve had to lead, and it’s… nice, it’s cute.” he said welling up.
The host also explained that the Toy Show has become more meaningful in recent years, focusing less on presents and celebs and more on the children.
“When it started, it was a toy show, where you show toys, then it turned in to kids being bonkers. Then suddenly the kids were just shining,” he said.
“When the soldier dad emerged from the box last Christmas that was a game changer for me, because then I realised, it’s not about the silly stuff, or the stars and celebs. It’s about the guys from the armed forces who can’t be there on Christmas day emerging to surprise his family. It’s about kindness. One of the joys of the toy show is that it allows people who don’t usually have great cause to smile, to smile!”
The star added that he loves the fact that all ages can enjoy the show.
“As I get older I see all these adults coming up to me saying I was a kid again for two hours. You get to be a kid again. There is just something beautiful.
“I spent the morning meeting kids from around the country with difficult stories and it’s humbling and heartbreaking because they come to you and hug you like they know you. It’s a strange Santa power that is hard to understand. They come up to you as if you can do things for them and make things better which unfortunately I can’t.”
The Late Late Toy Show airs tonight, Friday, November 30th, at 9.35pm.
