Good evening to all the kids and big kids tuning in to the Toy Show this evening!

Lauren Boland here. The last liveblog I did before this one was about the general election results – tonight’s news should hopefully be a lot more upbeat, though perhaps just as chaotic.

We’ll be liveblogging the show (and social media reactions to it) this evening, so watch along with us for this most Christmassy of broadcasts.

250 children are taking part in the show this evening as performers and toy testers to bring us music, dance, and lots of toy demonstrations.

The main theme this year is the 1990 film Home Alone, so we’re expecting to see an opening number with its fair share of mayhem. 

RTÉ has promised “plenty of mischief with staircase sliding, snowball throwing, ‘Wicked’ performances, and lots of rocking around the Christmas tree”.

Patrick Kielty with Louis Hanna, age six, who's portraying the character of Kevin at the start of the show Andres Poveda Andres Poveda

Something new to the show this year will be the ‘Toy Show County Parade’, which is going to see 32 kids from each county “show their pride for their county… expect swirling and twirling, gymnastics and pageantry”.

If the classic vehicle procession is anything to go by, we’re sure the county parade will go off without a hitch…

RTÉ has just played a little sneak peek from the Toy Show stage on the the 9 o’clock news.

Maddee, one of the kids taking part in the show tonight, said she’s feeling “nervous, excited and happy”. We’re all excited for you Maddee!

You’re certainly much better off staying in and watching the Toy Show tonight than going out in this weather. There are Status Orange and Status Red warnings that will be taking effect as Storm Darragh blows in. It’s already pretty rough out there – you can read more about the weather warnings on The Journal.

Hope everyone has something nice to tuck into. We’ve cracked open a tub of Roses here.

Here we go now – show time!

Kids running through Dublin Airport, wondering if they forgot to turn off the immersion, and Patrick Kielty sliding down a staircase – ’tis Toy Show time alright.

That’s some amount of tinsel on Patrick Kielty.

Patrick is joined by child-turned-snowman Isabelle, who tells us in sign language about the different ways that the Toy Show can be viewed tonight – it’s available to watch with Irish Sign Language on the RTÉ News Channel and on the RTÉ Player, and audio description will be available for the repeat show on Sunday afternoon.

Patrick Kielty and Isabelle McCarthy (7)

It’s Dory! If anyone’s on TikTok, you might be familiar with the first toy demonstrator of the evening . Dory is a gas character that makes videos on social media with her Mam.

She’s showing us a toy monkey that you can feed from a bottle, who lets out a loud burp. “Pardon you,” Dory quips.

That was quick! We have our first celebrity drop-in of the evening. Irish singer Jazzy is surprising Dory.

Moments prior, Dory tells us she saw Jazzy out the car window once – well, either her or a lookalike.

Dory Hudson (8) from Tallaght meets singer Jazzy Andres Poveda Andres Poveda

If you missed the intro to tonight’s show, here’s where you can have a watch back here:

Now that’s how you SLEIGH an entrance 🛷✨#LateLateToyShow #latelate pic.twitter.com/yxOJBSA2Qp

— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) December 6, 2024

Up next is Olly, who’s playing drums for us. He’s in two bands, he says, one of which is called ‘Sleepy Heads’. An apt name to be sharing on the Late Late Toy Show – probably some small sleepy heads out there fading fast already.

The Late Late is fundraising for children’s charities again through its Toy Show appeal.

If you’re looking to donate, you can do so on the RTÉ website at https://www.rte.ie/toy-show-appeal or through the Revolut app.

Kielty is on outfit number three and we haven’t even hit an ad break yet.

The jig we just saw to Thunderstruck by AC/DC seems to have gone down well.

Right now on The Late Late Toy Show there's an Irish jig step dance set to a bunch of kids doing a trad Irish take on AC/DC's "Thunderstruck"

— Kevin Cafferty (@kevshindig.bsky.social) 6 December 2024 at 21:57

The Late Late Toy Show Thunderstruck is better than the original!

— leonardmacmahon.bsky.social (@leonardmacmahon.bsky.social) 6 December 2024 at 21:57

21 minutes before the Irish dancing is surely a record?? #latelatetoyshow

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— Jakob Burrows (@awesomepedia.org) 6 December 2024 at 21:58

It’s all gotten very zen for a moment. Alfie is showing us some yoga – specifically, goat yoga.

The zen was shortlived – Alfie has produced a fart gun. 

To be fair, this seems exactly like the kind of present my brother would have gotten great use out of when he was younger (no doubt would still manage to find some enjoyment from now at 19).

When will RTÉ give the people what they want?

GIVE ME 6 YEAR OLD CULCHIES WITH MULLETS NOW #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/GcAr1Bxovh

— Danielle 🇵🇸 (@da1nie25) December 6, 2024

On the money.

Me when Ryanair tells me I need to take clothes out of my overweight bag #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/SmRqy7FRiG

— Davey B (@Dave_B24) December 6, 2024

The perils of watching the Toy Show.

Stop with the WWE toys my boyfriend has decided to change his Christmas list and I’ve already gotten his presents #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/fDC62bzIAs

— Ciara 🥹 (@ciarareddy) December 6, 2024

We’re back from the first ad break and Patrick is showing us Star, a puppy training to be an autism assistance dog.

Patrick was just saying what a good dog she’s been, and on cue, Star responded with plenty of face licks. 

Star has now been whisked off the set again – bring her back, please!

Toy tester Georgie Mae is now showing us some sparkly slime, which she testifies got stuck to her pyjamas and to her baby cousins. Classic.

Georgie Mae (8) from Kimmage

Star 🥹🥹#LateLateToyShow #LateLate pic.twitter.com/pvlORmVcIm

— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) December 6, 2024

“Is Paddy on the naughty list this year?” Georgie May asks her toy crystal ball.

In a classic Toy Show toy fail, the ball brings no answer.

One for everyone in the audience – a gift basket from Arnotts for the Toy Show live audience. You wouldn’t be jealous at all.

Toy tester Brian Óg is sporting a dapper vest, shirt and bow tie. He showed us a gecko racing up a wall, pivoted over to video game Minecraft, and then quickly on to another toy that he tells us he plays with his brother: “Shoutout John Joe!”

The studio audience is getting an immersive experience from Brian Óg, who’s just told them to close their eyes and imagine their Christmas Day, including everyone being “out for the count” after dinner. 

Brian Óg is now doing a karaoke duet with Patrick Kielty to a Nathan Carter song. This lad is bringing us everything tonight.

Brian Óg is a fan favourite.

Someone could tell me Brian Óg has been hosting the toy show for the last 10 years and I’d believe them,made for the telly #LateLateToyShow

— Caoimhe (@IamCaoimheDunne) December 6, 2024

Can Brian Óg please explain the mortgage application process to me because the way he just described those games in 8.5 seconds was top class#LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/l2pBPEdYuE

— Kendra Becker (@kendra_becker) December 6, 2024

When I grow up I want to be Brian Óg #latelatetoyshow pic.twitter.com/nP7CNoRaX2

— Lisa Murray ⚡️ @lisawiththefringe (@lisawthefringe) December 6, 2024

A mashup for the ages for all the Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter fans out there. Who needs expensive concert tickets?

Scientist-in-the-making Zara has just given a well-articulated explanation of how the moon was formed, followed up by this cracker of a joke:

“What did Mars say to Saturn?”

“Give me a ring some time.”

I’ll be stealing that one Zara.

Another surprise guest! Irish aeronautical engineer Norah Patten, who is set to be the first Irish person to go to space, has touched down to surprise Zara and fellow toy tester Cillian.

That was lovely – little storyteller Leo treated us to a well-told tale about the power of a hat.

Not aaaable 😭😭😭#LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/hFGsZTF1IN

— Jenny Gilleece (@JennyGilleece) December 6, 2024

3 Irish astronauts 🚀#latelatetoyshow #latelate pic.twitter.com/D3d5QHA3bX

— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) December 6, 2024

I’ve well and truly lost track of all of Patrick Kielty’s outfit change. It’s a more classic Christmas jumper after this ad break – earlier, here was one of his costumes:

Andres Poveda Andres Poveda

Entrepreneurs Phoebe and Holly are telling us about their business venture – small bags filled with sweets or toys – and their friendship, which used to have some ‘mini fights’ but they’d ultimately make up when they needed someone to knock for to come out to play with.

Their friendship is put to the test with a ‘BFF quiz’ – the final questions are about Universal Studios in Florida. I think we can see where this is going… 

Sure enough! Phoebe and Holly and their families are being sent on a holiday together to Universal in Orlando. Enjoy ladies.

Imagine if only the winner of the quiz had gotten to go to Florida.

Another musical interlude – we’re getting a rendition of ‘For Good’, a song in the musical Wicked (very popular right now from the recent release of a film version of the musical’s first act). Someone get these kids in front of the casting director for act two.

Andres Poveda Andres Poveda

Kirsty, one of the performers, has a sister Lauren who has been receiving treatment in Crumlin. Kirsty has been given a mission to run over to a Smyth’s to do a toy dash – and she’s going to be helped out by Olympians Sharlene Mawdsley and Phil Healy.

Here’s Kevin, who has a batch of eggs, introducing us to a Leitrim half-dozen. “Five for the price of six.” 

He’s telling us now about his favourite tractor, which has “a good gear box on it”.

A warning: “If you’re wanting one of them, Patrick, you’d want to be selling a fair few eggs.”

Classic Toy Show stuff.

We don't know this kid, but let's be honest, we've all been waiting for him#LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/Z1pDoGVX60

— Andrew (@Reddin1153) December 6, 2024

YAY A FARMER FINALLY #latelatetoyshow pic.twitter.com/L1K1IR8L6z

— emily 🪩 (@goldrushreid) December 6, 2024

A star in memory of Saoírse Ruane, who was on the Toy Show in 2020 and sadly passed away from cancer earlier this year.

Saoírse's star⭐️🤍 pic.twitter.com/h4vhKx4Jeq

— TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) December 6, 2024

“5 for the price of 6, you know yourself”.

Judging by that sales logic, and the suspiciously ambiguous border county accent, Kevin’s no Leitrim man.

A Cavan man if ever I’ve come across one.#LateLateToyShow

— Jack Nolan (@jacknolan__) December 6, 2024

The classic vehicle procession has been reimagined this year as a ‘county parade’, featuring bikes and trikes but also singing and a spot of gymnastics so far. Which county are we rooting for?

Andres Poveda Andres Poveda

Somehow, by some Christmas miracle, there hasn’t been any collisions yet.

Oisín and Patrick from Dublin, who are dressed up as jedis, have built the house from Home Alone out of Lego. Enjoying the Star Wars x Home Alone crossover.

Patrick McKenna (11) and Oisín Friel (11) both from Dublin

It’s time now for book corner.

“I didn’t get much time to read the book, so I only read half a page,” says one of our readers, Wehlani, about one of the books she read. We love the honesty Wehlani! She gave a brilliant synopsis of it nonetheless, along with her other books.

In a nice moment, fellow reader Anna shares Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers, talking about how her nana used to read it to her when she was younger.

Our final reader Liam shares some Irish non-fiction books, including “The Story of Irish Rugby”. Liam talks about how he’s a big fan of Johnny Sexton – lo and behold, here comes Johnny!

Liam is starstruck.

Book reader Liam is surprised with a visit from Johnny Sexton Andres Poveda Andres Poveda

Time to check in with Kirsty, who performed as part of a musical number earlier and has since headed over to a Smyth’s.

In a speedy trolley dash, Kirsty has filled up two trolleys with toys for children in Crumlin hospital with the help of Olympians Phil Healy and Sharlene Mawdsley. 

RTE RTE

A quick look back at the end of the county parade:

When they played for the County 🤗 🤗#latelatetoyshow #latelate pic.twitter.com/vloKijBBYx

— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) December 6, 2024

We got a couple more performances to finish out the night, with a rap from Josh and a rendition of All I Want For Christmas is You led by Abiha – with a video message from The Mariah Carey played in between.

That’s a wrap 🥹🫶#LateLateToyShow #LateLate pic.twitter.com/7ojr3Lc1Nr

— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) December 7, 2024

And that’s it! Another Toy Show done and dusted. I’m off to polish off the last of this tub of Roses. Goodnight and thanks for following along with us.