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Adam King (6) from Cork on the Toy Show. Andres Poveda
Toy Show
The top eight moments from this year's Late Late Toy Show
From heartfelt moments to strict social distancing, here are the best moments from the 2020 Toy Show.
1.11am, 28 Nov 2020
137k
107
LAST UPDATE|28 Nov 2020
THE LATE LATE Toy Show looked very different this year with two-metre social distancing and a virtual audience, but the much-loved show still managed to pull at the heartstrings of the nation.
The theme for this year’s show was based on the works of Roald Dahl, with a set decked out with nods to characters like Willy Wonka and Matilda.
The presenter himself Ryan Tubridy started out in a Fantastic Mr Fox costumer (fur and all), and things only progressed from there.
Here are some of the highlights from a Toy Show to remember.
1. Saoirse
There were two memorable young girls named Saoirse on tonight’s show.
The first Saoirse of the night aspires to be a vet, but she could yet have a role on the National Public Health Emergency Team given her sheer breadth of knowledge about Covid-19.
The UCD School of Veterinary Medicine has already pre-emptively welcomed her to the ranks.
Onto the second Saoirse of the night, with Saoirse Ruane from Galway capturing the hearts (and tears) of the country by telling her story about her amputated leg.
She showed off her fantastic prosthetic leg (which has a picture of a unicorn on it), and as Ryan said: “How can a prosthetic leg be so beautiful?”
Another member of the no-nonsense crew, Sam told Tubridy he would turn his pheasant into slippers. This is not a joke.
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The conversation progressed, and we got some very impressive pheasant impressions in the end.
Sam Moules (7) from Wicklow. Andres Poveda
Andres Poveda
5. Garda Matthew
This young garda-to-be was a strict enforcer of the rules, making sure Tubridy didn’t get within two metres of him at all costs.
We could all do with taking a page from Garda Matthew’s book heading into Level 3.
Garda Matthew at tonight's Toy Show. Andres Poveda
Andres Poveda
6. Gabrielle Dermody
8-year-old Gabrielle Dermody was a delight on tonight’s show, speaking passionately about dolls that looked like her and teaching Tubridy some very ‘down with the kids’ Tik Tok dance moves. Very enjoyable scenes.
Gabrielle Dermody on the Late Late Toy Show. Andres Poveda
Andres Poveda
7. Celebrity guests
From Gary Barlow, to the Edge, to Dermot Kennedy. A few celebrity guests always pop their heads into the Late Late Toy Show, and this year was no exception (although virtually appearing in most cases).
The duet between singer Dermot Kennedy and Michael Moloney from Ballina was a beautiful moment, as was Gary Barlow singing alongside children from across the world.
Michael Moloney and Dermot Kennedy performing on the Late Late Toy Show. Andres Poveda
Andres Poveda
8. Adam King
Adam’s adorable smile and his enthusiastic wave will stay with tonight’s audience for a long time to come, that’s one thing for sure.
His night was made when hospital porter John Doyle arrived on the set, and it made for the rest of our nights as well.
The charity appeal that was launched during the Toy Show last night has raised over €5.2 million, according to RTÉ.
The funds from the appeal are to be used to support children’s charities and causes around the country, with half of the money shared between Barnados, Children’s Health Foundation and Children’s Books Ireland.
The other half is to be given as grants to various children’s charities around the country.
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⭐️A BEAUTIFUL HEROINE⭐️
Saoirse Ruane,
from Kiltullagh faced a life changing challenge. Leg amputation.
Bravery to face unimaginable trauma.
Courage to set her personal targets.
Generosity donating excess monies and thinking of others in need.
A dream to appear on the Toy Show.
A dream to walk again.
A dream to have a family holiday anywhere.
A smile that lit up our nation.
A beacon that puts our pandemic whinges in perspective.
Legend Young Lady.
Credit to Tubridy, he’s really grown into the toy show. His first year was a bit of a disaster but over the years he’s crafted it into a very special event. In spite of all that’s happening right now, we can call that a complete success.
Very different show this year but it suited the year Ryan Turbidy did well he looked like he had to stop himself a few times from hugging the children orr helping them sort out a toy. I thought RTE done a good job tonight.
Seriously gottac give it up to The Late Late Toy show… as a 6’3 masculine man watching it with me woman, I was cut up in ribbons watching these wonderful talented kid’s donated a 100 worth every penny. Raised 6 million from last I heard. Bravo…
The kid’s on that show are hero’s. Feeling better as a 36 year old man this is what the future holds. Happy Christmas
@kennyjones27: likewise. Have to say weather it was a combo of a few things, and our current circumstances I ended up donating twice. Best 100 I ever spent. Bravo RTE and those wonderful kids.
@Seymour business: I agree. I got goosebumps when Michael started singing brought me to tears, that young man has to be irelands superstar of the future.
While the rest of us have spent most the pandemic crying we cant go for a pint, one young girl spent it learning to walk again after losing her leg. Puts it in perspective really.
I was lying in my hospital bed following surgery watching the Toy Show, shedding tears of laughter at Saoirse the Vet and tears of sadness plus huge admiration for Saoirse Ruane. Both fantastic young girls for different reasons on the night. The amount of money raised is staggering and credit to the people of Ireland who are as Jimmy Magee would say, “different class”! Last but not least, well done Tubs!
@Geraldine O’Riordan: absolutely,. We rewound it a few times. We had a great laugh over it. It was a natural Irish thing to say.I thought when he stared into the camera he was going to say” oh did Mr Fox say a naughty word. ”
Anyway we put 5.5 million in the naughty word jar.!
@eoin carroll: Exactly when I was a kid I used to forward past all those billy barry kids to get to the toys. Gonna be a few disappointed children tomorrow.
@eoin carroll: I thought that was a strength. No need for such commercialism. The kids are and should be the stars. I love the fact that it’s not just the Billy Barry musical theatre kids and the latest NERF gun. BB kids have a lot to offer to the show, but it’s great to see ability and talent in all areas
@Critical Thinker: BILLIE BARRY KIDS haven’t been on Toy Show for over 10 years. The Children are from Dance Schools all over the Country and they all did an amazing brilliant job.
A brilliant show, the star were the kids and seeing some see and meet there idols was amazing.
A different show than normal where tubridy would be up close and personal with the children.
Still an amazing Irish show for the world to see, it’s all about the kids
The kids were great but hurried tru there routine by the host. A lot of tears watching it and all good round feeling for the adults watching,and happy days with the money donated. But to get kids around the country excited for the toy show is a little bit shallow. The only toys were soon kicked out of the way by the host. Don’t hate me but it’s meant to be a toy show and that never happened. I myself liked it but little Jimmy asked me could he go to bed i said no it’s the toy show Jimmy, your watching one way or the other. Alas he wasn’t impressed.
@kennyjones27: how many times did he tell the kids “we will all die” coped it twice, once when he was handing the three boys the picture frame “oh I can’t let you touch that, we will all die”and when the boy got up to get the guitar the Edge gave him “sit down or we will all die” whats all that about?
@John Kenny: and what age group of children would that satire be understood… it was meant to be a toy show for children.. but if you believe that was childrens satire…
@Cian Nolan: and what age group of children would that satire be understood… it was meant to be a toy show for children.. but if you believe that was childrens satire…
@Jean Farrelly: wow Jean thank God most people are not like you. Get over yourself and stop nit picking. I am not a fan of Tubridy at all but he is excellent with the kids on the toy show.
Good show all things considered. My favourite moment was Dermot Kennedy singing with Michael. Oh and Tubridy spilling Fanta on himself and saying “oh f**k sake” live on camera much to the amusement of the kid he was talking to. Very 2020 moment.
Can I Just Say Don’t Know WHY people keep bringing up
THE BILLIE BARRY KIDS ??? They haven’t been involved in the Toy Show for over 10 years. A Fantastic Show with Absolutely Amazing Children from All Over Ireland. And the way they all knew to keep Their Distance was Incredible. Well Done to Everyone one of Them.
It really puts things into perspective. You think you have problems until you see someone worse off than you. Next time stop and think, you complain that you have no shoes until you meet someone with no feet.
I thought it was the best one yet. It focused on what really matters in life and thats not a bunch of expensive toys and smart alec kids trying to out cheek eachother. It was moving and magical and as Roald Dhal famously said: “I think probably kindness is my number one attribute in a human being. I’ll put it before any of the things like courage or bravery or generosity or anything else”.
@Pete Lee: Possibly because given the year that’s in it with so many parents out of work and financially struggling maybe they thought it best to showcase the resilience and brilliance of our next generation instead of parading a line of toys that parents may not be able to afford, could be wrong but that’s the message I got from it, it was a show where kids dreams came true and they had a lot of fun – nothing wrong with kids seeing that at the end of 2020 I think
Those kids were a credit. Covid actually helped Tubridy, keeping his distance and out of shot, allowing each child to talk at their own pace. First time in years the children were afforded some respect, instead of being talked over, harried and their toys being dismissed for cheap laughs. Appreciating all the deserved sentiment, the show now appears to cater more for the adult viewer. Kids love toys and it would’ve been nice to see more emphasis on this, especially as kids can no longer visit toy shops as before.
Stealing a child’s innocence by getting her to promote the Pfizer vaccine on live TV. How much lower can RTE go? Very disturbing but not surprising of state funded propaganda RTE. This is child abuse clear and simple and anybody who pays a TV licence to fund this should be ashamed of themselves.
The Tik Tok dance thing was a great example of Irish poor sense of rhythm. By the time they started dancing they sped up the music. Maybe they just wanted to appear like they cared about her piece rather than actually respect the kids moment.
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