Get the pyjamas and treats ready! It's the biggest night of the Irish TV calendar as The Late Late Toy Show airs later.
The theme is The Lion King, inspired by the Disney Classic of the same name. The night looks set to live the Hakuna Matata ‘no worries’ philosophy with children ruling the jungle in the studio and at home.
The toy testers and performers will flock from all corners of Ireland, including Waterford, with the youngest "cub" aged just four years old. Eight year old Finn Ryan from Ferrybank, who beat cancer, is among the toy testers. As always, Ryan Tubridy and The Late Late Toy Show elves will have a few surprises up their sleeves. There will be a whole host of toys on display with whispers that Fidgets, Pop-its and a Labradoodle called Moji are among the top toys on this year’s toy list.Ryan Tubridy said
Everyone has been locked up for a long time and that’s why we need to head out into the wild and join our friends in The Lion King. This isn’t just a theme; it is a movement. Every child can leave the house and leave the room and leave the kitchen and roam free in the jungle of their families because they are the boss tonight. So, it is the future, it is wild, and it is beautiful. Join us in the jungle, we will see you tonight.
This year's magical Lion King inspired set was created by the RTÉ production Design Department, led by Marcella Power. RTÉ's Costume and Make-Up departments, with costume led by Brigette Horan, have also been busily prepping the cast ahead of Friday's extravaganza. The show is produced and guided into the light by Hilary Jones and Kate Olohan and directed by Alan Byrne.
The Toy Show AppealThe Toy Show Appeal is back for its second year running, which last year raised a staggering €6.6mn of much-needed funds for Irish charities where an estimated 635,690 children and their families will benefit from a huge variety of different support organisations. Donations can be made via www.rte.ie/toyshowappeal and this year people can give via the Donations tab on the Revolut app which will go live on the night. The Late Late Toy Show airs on RTE 1 at 9.35pm tonight.
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