It's nearly Toy Show time and to celebrate we have rounded up 23 of our favourite moments from over the decades. See if you agree!
It's almost the most wonderful time of the year... and the most wonderful night in live television as The Late Late Toy Show gears up to keep kids across the country awake way past their bedtime this Friday night.
Before it's time to huddle around the TV once more and crack open the first box of Roses of the festive season, take a little trip down memory lane with these clips...
23. Róisín is just dino-mite (2021)
"Why do you like dinosaurs so much?" "Because they're cool." And so we were introduced to fledging palaeontologist Róisín Dolan (5) who blew us away in 2021 with her breathless and rapid-fire naming of numerous types of dinosaurs, some of which we hadn't even heard before.
22. Billy Mullet: "Business in the front, party at the back" (2022)
Billy Brady (5) from Kildare appeared on 2022's show as a toy tester but he stole the show with his explanation of his very cool haircut. "It's a mullet," he said, describing it as "business at the front and party at the back".
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21. Tubs meets a future John Galliano (2010)
With his stylish glasses and trilby hat, Douglas definitely stood out from the other children on the Toy Show in 2010. "You're certainly nailing the Christmas look, I have to say," he told former host Ryan Tubridy, much to the audience's delight. It was clear that Douglas was a child with big dreams, hoping to work as a designer at Paris Fashion Week. We'll no doubt be seeing Douglas again in the future.
20. John Joe the horologist (2009)
The adorable John Joe Brennan won the nation's hearts with his tweed jacket, glasses and incredibly articulate literary critiques in 2009. He told Ryan Tubridy that he wanted to be a horologist, before inspecting the host's watch and telling him "It's a very good mark, I suppose. Next to Rolex." What a little legend.
19. Boyzone come back for more (1994)
You may remember Boyzone's first hilarious appearance on The Late Late Show in 1993, during which Gay Byrne relentlessly criticised the group's lack of talent before they performed the most embarrassing dance ever to grace Irish screens. They clearly weren't put off by Gaybo's harsh comments, though, as they returned to prove they really are talented – at 'Scalextric'.
18. A Heartwarming Family Reunion (2023)
Granny Carol O'Brien from Navan, Co Meath was sitting in the Toy Show audience when host Patrick Kielty made a beeline for the seat beside her. Carol's daughter Joanne, son-in-law Richard and grandchildren Ben and Eva were in Perth, Western Australia and had recorded a special video message. Except they weren't 9,200 miles away - they were behind the Christmas Tree in the Toy Show studio! The tears flowed, with even Kielty struggling to keep it together as the Toy Show added to its treasure trove.
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17. A Magic Night for Caitriona (2022)
Harry Potter superfan Caitriona Kalogeraki (10) from Dublin performed some magic in 2022, but it was her sweetly shocked reaction when Ryan Tubridy surprised her with a video greeting from actress Emma Watson, who played her favourite Harry Potter character Hermione, that made this such a memorable appearance.
Watson's video was also beautifully from-the-heart. She told Caitriona: "I want to send you a message to thank you for all you did to spread awareness around autism, and speaking about it so eloquently, in a way that empowers and educates other young people."
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16. Junior Culchie of the Year (2009)
When flame-haired Mark McSharry from Co. Cavan rolled on stage in his fine toy tractor, with a plastic sack on over his trousers, we knew we were in for a treat. "I'm the Junior Culchie of Ireland!" he proudly declared, explaining that he had won the title through a competition in school.
And the sack? A nifty device to stop your knees getting wet when you're walking through rushes. "I'm some eejit, amn't I, not to know that?" Ryan Tubridy asked. "Kind of, yes," confirmed Mark. Classic.
15. Nanny Pat's cameo (2019)
A gem from November 2019 - Leitrim's eight-year-old Tom Cullen and his Nanny Pat. Tom told Ryan Tubridy about Nanny Pat's dinners, her knitting and, of course, the chats. He even revealed that he had a personalised jigsaw of her! So what better a Toy Show treat than to bring Nanny Pat on to the show as a surprise guest? We all wanted a hug from her too!
14. Birthday Surprise for Emmie (2022)
There was another fantastic surprise in 2022's Toy Show for Dubliner Emmie O'Neill who was celebrating her 12th birthday. Brendan O'Carroll aka Mrs Brown popped up in a video greeting. As if that wasn't enough, Ireland footballer Katie McCabe came on the show with some of her team mates to give Emmie a birthday hug.
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13. Sophia's supreme show of strength (2019)
Wow. Dublin youngster Sophia Maher gave the Toy Show its most important moment in 2019 with an anti-bullying message that spoke to, and for, a better Ireland. "Don't let the bullies stop the things... from doing the things you want to do," said Sophia. "And life would just suck if everybody was the same." There wasn't a dry eye in the studio, or at home.
12. Freya sings the show out (2023)
Freya McLaughlin (11) from Lucan, Co Dublin was asked to sing the final song of the night during last year's Toy Show - and what an inspired choice she proved to be. As Patrick Kielty brought the curtain down on his first Toy Show, Freya sang Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. "Thanks to all the kids who created the magic in our studio," he said as the youngster beside him made sure there was some more.
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11. Brothers DJ Calum and Hype-man Jackson stole hearts (2021)
DJ Calum and his younger brother and hype-man Jackson gave it socks on 2021's Toy Show. When DJ Calum told Ryan Tubridy about his ambitions to make a career out of playing music ("I want to DJ the main stage at a music festival in front of thousands of people"), he was bestowed with a full suite of top-notch equipment. A clearly emotional Calum was taken aback by the gesture, but just when we thought our hearts couldn't get any fuller, he told everyone how much his little bro' means to him.
"He's just the best, he's really funny, I just love him!"
Pass the tissues.
10. Pat and Oisín (2000)
They say never work with children or animals, and Oisín the dog really proved that point when he appeared on the Toy Show 23 years ago. Brought onstage to prove that canine intelligence is superior to artificial intelligence, Oisín seemed more interested in investigating a toy polar bear than giving the paw. Hey, it was his big night!
9. Zig & Zag and Dustin soak Gay (1991)
Leave it to them! Amid shouts of "You in the Pound Shop jumper!" from Dustin, Gay Byrne welcomed his troika of toy testers to the show in 1991. Oddly enough, chaos ensued. Zig & Zag showed "Mr Byrne, Your Majesty" a number of dolls, before ungraciously drenching their host with The Super Soaker 50! A sodden Gay then turned to the audience and said: "It was probably the most amusing thing on the show, wasn't it?" They agreed. His revenge was sweet - and soaking!
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8. Any craic? Níl (2012)
What is it about little lads on tractors on the Toy Show? Alex Meehan dazzled in the style stakes in his farmer's cap, bright blue Ray Bans and Christmas jumper, but it was the awkward comedy created by his interaction with the host that really stole the show. Shy Alex burst into a spiel as Gaeilge but seemed to panic when Ryan Tubridy tried to continue the conversation, giving him a one-word answer and pedalling swiftly away.
7. Domhnall Meets his favourite footballer (2013)
When football-mad Domhnall Ó Confhaol from Connemara appeared on the Toy Show in 2013, his hero Robbie Keane was recovering from an operation on his Achilles tendon. Ryan asked Domhnall what he would say to the Irish captain if he could speak to him. "I'd hope he'd be better quick, because I think we really need him for the 2016 Euros...he's like the main man for us," said Domhnall. Cue Robbie hobbling onstage with crutches in tow, leaving the cherub-cheeked eight-year-old completely speechless. Bless.
6. Imelda May's Late Late debut (1986)
"We start with a charming group from The Liberties in Dublin," said Gay Byrne on the Toy Show 38 years ago [gulp]. "They are winners of the Young Entertainers Competition three years in succession." Among them was star of the future Imelda May (on the right below, holding the lantern), who showed her ability to hold a tune with a cover of Boney M's Mary's Boy Child. Twenty-three years later, Imelda May would be back as a solo artist in her own right. As the song says, it started on the Late Late Show!
5. Brave Lego-master Finn rang the bell (2021)
The inspirational Finn Ryan spoke about when he battled cancer in 2018, explaining that all he was able to play with in hospital was Lego. When he rang the bell in St John's Ward in Crumlin to signal that he was cancer-free, his extended family couldn't be there, so Ryan Tubridy prompted him to ring a bell of hope for all the other children who are still sick.
Finn took to the task with plenty of gusto, so much so that he broke the bell, but continued on regardless. When Tubridy asked him if he would like to go to Denmark, Finn nonchalantly shrugged, but he was soon bowled over by the news that he was due to fly to Legoland with his family. A very well deserved treat for Finn and a Toy Show moment for the ages.
4. Toby attempts to ignore Girls Aloud (2003)
Wicklow native Toby Kane won the Junior Stars in their Eyes competition at the Wicklow Regatta Festival in 2003, and wanted to further demonstrate his singing skills on the Toy Show, performing Girl's Aloud's cover of Jump. However, he seemed a bit perturbed when the group sneaked onstage, looking like he might burst into tears and shaking his head when Pat Kenny asked if he wanted to chat to them. Poor Toby!
3. Ed Sheeran surprises his biggest fan (2014)
It's always great when kids get to meet their heroes, but it's always better on the Toy Show! Aimee Keogh got the shock of a lifetime on the Toy Show when, in the middle of performing a karaoke version of an Ed Sheeran song, the man himself crept up behind her to join in. Aimee screamed, then looked like she was going to cry with joy, exclaiming "I'm hysterical, oh my God." What a cutie.
2. Home is the hero (2017)
Brother and sister Adam and Kayla Burke got the best surprise of all when they were reunited with their dad, who was based in Mali with the Defence Forces. We just couldn't deal, and neither could Tubs.
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1. Adam King rules our hearts
When Cork native Adam King, then aged six, held up a virtual hug sign during the 2020 show, it captured hearts around a nation after a long and difficult year. Adam, who has brittle bones, inspired viewers with his plans to work in NASA; his confidence and love of life are already out of this world.
And there was a suitably stellar surprise: John Doyle, "the nicest hospital porter in Ireland", beamed in from Temple Street to salute his young friend. "Adam has such an infectious smile that even the darkest planet out there would light up," said John. Talk about a rocket straight to your heart!
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