Ryan Tubridy has revealed that the theme of this year’s Toy Show will be inspired by one of the biggest movies of the year.
While many years before were based on Disney cartoons, this year the show is set to go in a slightly different direction.
“The nation is in for a treat! I woke up at 5 am because I was so excited, it’s like Christmas eve,” he told VIP Magazine.
“I woke up early because the song I’m going to be singing at the top of the show is enormous and belongs to the biggest show of the year. It’s totally different for us, last year I was a crab (from The Little Mermaid theme), and the year before I was Baloo the Bear (from The Jungle Book) so this year im not going to be anything necessarily fictional I’m going to be P.T. Barnum as played by Mr Hugh Jackman in The Greatest Showman.”
The Late Late presenter explained that he is a big fan of the movie and the story it tells: “I think this theme lends itself so beautifully to where we are as a show in terms of vibe and attitude and theme.
“I went to see the film when my youngest daughter suggested it and I said ‘it looks awful’ but she said ‘give it a go’ so we went to see it, and from the moment it started and that big staccato with a cane and top hat and jacket, I thought Yes! I was just enthralled, and a couple of people we work with said ‘is this not what we do?’ so it just took off from there.”
Speaking about why he’s so excited about this year’s theme, the host said: “What I love is that it has the key message, that it’s for the child who didn’t get picked for the team, who’s not in the snapchat group or who gets a little bit left out but isn’t sad. This isn’t about sympathy but it’s a recognition to say ‘you’re as important as all the others’.”
Revealing that he will be singing the opening number, Ryan added: “The costume for the opening number is pretty intense. It’s a ringmaster so it’s the full top hat, coat, boots the whole lot!”
“I’m pretty nervous because I’ve never sung but they’ve asked me to sing. And it’s one thing singing in a karaoke booth after three drinks but it’s another to do it in front of over a million people. Just when you thought you had no comfort zone to step out of, I found it! I’ve decided it’s ten years, all the kids put themselves out so why don’t I??”
The star explained that there is another theme he’d love to explore another year!
“One of my dreams would be to do the Muppets Christmas Carol, but the muppets come at a price! I’d love to have the muppets here.”
The Late Late Toy Show airs tonight, Friday, November 30th, at 9.35pm.
