Ryan Tubridy has revealed he was moved to tears after watching an “emotional” scene from The Late Late Toy Show.
The highly anticipated Christmas show is set to air on RTÉ One on Friday, November 27, with host Ryan describing this year’s show as “possibly the most important of all time”.
Speaking on his RTÉ Radio 1 show this morning, Ryan told listeners: “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.
“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.”
“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,” he explained.
“I can’t tell you too much, but I’ll just tell you [that] it was so beautiful and so emotional.
“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?’
“The whole pandemic just came down on top of me in one go. I was just deeply moved by it all.”
“And that’s why I’m hopeful today when I see the news headlines [vaccine reports] because you have to be,” Ryan added.
“I mean, if you’re not hopeful, you’re going to be miserable. So if that’s the choice, which one are you going to go with?
“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.”
The news comes after RTÉ released a teaser for the show, with Ryan seen wearing a Christmas jumper.
“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,” he said.
Ryan reassured kids at home: “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 of fun.”
“So we need you to gather together, join us, and let’s make Christmas, Christmas.”
