The theme of this year’s Late Late Toy Show has been revealed, as host Ryan Tubridy and a cast of hundreds get ready for the biggest night on Irish television.
Together they will be diving under the sea as the theme of this year’s Late Late Toy Show takes inspiration from the classic Disney animated film The Little Mermaid.
The Late Late Toy Show airs tonight at 9.35pm on RTÉ One, and will be available to watch worldwide for free on RTÉ Player.
Late Late Toy Show host Ryan Tubridy said: “This is going to be really special. I have wanted to do The Little Mermaid for the Toy Show for years and, at last, my ship has come in! I can honestly say that it is like nothing you have ever seen on the show before and I think people are really going to enjoy it.”
“There’s something in it for absolutely everyone in the family. My costume is a sight to behold but I am loving everything about this year’s opening. I invite everyone to forget about the flotsam and jetsam of modern life, come where the people are and be part of our world for a couple of hours tonight. It’s going to be great fun.”
This year’s Late Late Toy Show boasts a huge cast with more than 200 talented young performers and 28 charming toy testers taking part. The children come from all over Ireland with the youngest just four-years-old.
As always, Ryan and the Late Late Toy Show elves have a few surprises up their sleeves and all will be revealed as the show goes on.
Late Late Toy Show producer Nigel Power said: “We’re really excited to share this year’s Late Late Toy Show with everyone. We’ve created a truly magical world with a magnificent set and an opening filled with colour. The show is packed with toys, talent and surprises that make the Toy Show an unmissable night for kids and adults alike.”
The nautically themed set has been created by RTÉ production designers Marcella Power and Catherine Sorg.
As with every Late Late Toy Show, a number of charities have nominated children to experience the magic of the set for themselves in advance of tonight’s show.
This year children from LauraLynn Children’s Hospice, The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, Temple Street Children’s University Hospital, Our Lady’s Children Hospital, Crumlin, and Barnados will get a sneak preview of the set and get to play with the toys.
Their visit will be captured onscreen and will be aired during the show. All toys featured on the show will be donated to charity following the broadcast.
For the second year running, The Late Late Toy Show excitement kicks off live on social media.
TV presenter Baz Ashmawy will be bringing viewers on a special behind the scenes look at the final preparations for this year’s show as Ryan and friends get ready to go live to the nation.
The Late Late Toy Show: The Final Countdown will be broadcast live on RTÉ One’s Facebook page and The Late Late Show’s Twitter profile.
A list of the toys featured will be available on the show’s website www.rte.ie/tv/latelate following broadcast.
