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The Late Late Toy Show is back this year at the much-welcomed later date of Friday, 6 December.
Having first launched in 1974, the annual special edition of the Late Late is now the biggest TV event of the year and a beloved Irish institution – so much so that some want to make it an actual bank holiday.
The 2024 version will be presenter Patrick Kielty’s second time hosting the Toy Show and he will definitely be pulling out all the stops.
As we wait with bated breath for the Toy Show’s return, JOE asked the members of its office about some of their favourite moments from the festive annual event throughout the years.
And here are some of their suggestions:
Zig & Zag & Dustin
We’re kicking off with a moment from the tenure of the original Toy Show host: Gay Byrne. Over the decades, the annual TV event has become renowned for its cameos from beloved celebrities, Irish or otherwise.
And who is more beloved then puppets Zig and Zag and Dustin, particularly when they are mercilessly roasting the show’s host.
“You have nothing left down in wardrobe except for that jumper, yeah? It’ll come back into fashion. Don’t worry about it,” Dustin sarcastically quips at Byrne, who makes for the perfect straight man.
Boyzone
Sticking with Gaybo, another brilliant Toy Show moment of his is when legendary Irish boy band Boyzone stopped by the studio to play with a Scalextric-esque toyset.
The only problem is: the pop group don’t seem to know how to use it.
Cue one minute of Byrne humourously vamping, followed by a variety of ‘ooohs’ and ‘ahhhs’ from the host when the band actually get the toys to work.
Seemingly channelling the aforementioned Dustin, Gaybo dryly jokes: “I hope yous are better at the songs.”
Lara Croft
We now move into the era of host Pat Kenny and this incredible moment of TV.
The set-up: two boys obsessed with Lara Croft are reviewing a new game in the franchise and are noting how the graphics have improved.
“Would it almost be like she was in the room with you?” Kenny says, leading to an actress coming out dressed as Croft – and doing a really impressive job embodying the style and movement of the character.
And yet, either because they are distracted by the game or stunned silent, the boys hardly react.
As the actress finishes up her routine, Kenny says with such weight: “Miss Lara Croft”. This is before the woman takes the boys off stage.
Whether or not, the kids appreciated her – we think the actress was iconic and her routine is now rightly remembered as one of the Toy Show’s most famous moments ever.
Toby meets Girls Aloud
The real stars of the Toy Show are always the children: as evidenced by the absolutely adorable Girls Aloud super fan Toby’s rendition of the pop band’s song ‘Jump’.
In fact, the young boy’s cover by itself would be enough to make this list.
What truly cements Toby in Toy Show history, however, is the moment when the pop superstars themselves appeared behind the child to join him on the rendition.
Despite the members of the group being so sweet to him, the boy was clearly quite shy and overwhelmed in the moment…
JohnJoe the Horologist
And now, the Ryan Tubridy years. During his tenure as host, one of the most memorable moments involved the young JohnJoe Brennan, who had a maturity far beyond his years.
Though he was clearly giddy about being on the show, JohnJoe’s spoke incredibly eloquently about his love of Roald Dahl’s work and watches.
The latter made particular sense as the boy revealed his dreams of being a horologist aka a clock repairer.
Family Reunion Surprise
Speaking of dreams, The Toy Show often makes dreams come true. A perfect example of this involves young brother and sister Adam and Kayla Burke.
They explained that their dad, Sergeant Graham Burke, was in Mali completing his 6th tour of duty peacekeeping overseas and as such, wouldn’t be home for Christmas. Tubridy, however, had a surprise for them.
Presenting the siblings with a large present box, what was inside it? That’s right, it was the kids’ father, Graham, who was then reunited with his family.
A truly beautiful, heartwarming moment.
Alisha Weir
We couldn’t compose this list without mentioning the time the Toy Show discovered a future Hollywood star.
This was young girl Alisha Weir, who wowed audiences with her singing during a gorgeous rendition of Cyndi Lauper’s hit ‘True Colours’.
Cut to a few years later and she was playing the title role in major Hollywood movies Matilda the Musical and Abigail and earning rave reviews.
Adam King
Another all-time Toy Show legend is Adam King, who won the hearts of a nation during his appearance amid the Covid pandemic in 2020.
The young boy told Tubridy about his love for all things intergalactic, all while blessing the audience with a “virtual hug”.
Now, a household name, Adam has since starred in an animated show and written a book.
Sheamie
And last but not least, a moment from Patrick Kielty’s first outing as host involving the legend that is Sheamie Garrihy – a seven-year-old with a sharp wit and old soul.
From the moment, the boy first appeared on screen, he had the audience in stitches.
Immediately, he told the host: “Before we start chatting now Patrick, do you mind if I say something quick to you? I was thinking to myself, I bet you didn’t know you had something in common with an oul seven-year-old from the country in Clare.”
Kielty responded: “And what do we have in common?” before Sheamie replied: “That it’s both our first toy Show, Patrick,” sending the host and audience into laughter.
And that was before hilariously revealing some of his family’s secrets. Just dynamite television.
Watch the Late Late Toy Show this year on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Friday, 6 December at 9.35pm.
