BROADCASTER RTÉ has apologised for any disappointment caused by not holding Late Late Toy Show auditions in the north after an MLA branded it "partitionist".
For the first time the flagship festive show went on the road to find the best young singers, musicians and performers to take part.
Auditions were held earlier this month in Cork, Athlone, Sligo and Dublin – but none took place in Northern Ireland.
Sinn Féin's Barry McElduff had said the absence of northern auditions was "further evidence of a partitionist mindset in RTÉ".
In a letter responding to the West Tyrone MLA's concerns, RTÉ head of entertainment John McHugh said he was "sorry" if any families were disappointed.
However, he said auditionees attended through invite only after being selected from thousands of applications.
"I understand you feel that the show's auditions should have been held in the north and the fact that this did not happen was unfair to residents of the north," he said.
"I am sorry that any potential auditionees were disappointed but I feel the show's audition process may have been misunderstood.
"This year those selected from the thousands of online applicants were invited to attend at one of our four regional centres. Attendance at the auditions is therefore by invitation only."
Mr McHugh said the Toy Show regularly features young performers from across all 32 counties.
"This process is designed to be as fair as possible to all our potential participants," he said.
Mr McElduff yesterday called on RTÉ to ensure auditions are held in the north for next year's show in 2016.
"I have been contacted by a good number of families from different parts of the north who have said they want auditions held in the north," he said.
"I think it is important for social inclusion and for RTÉ to reflect the whole nation of Ireland."
For more than a decade The Late Late Toy Show has been Ireland's most watched TV programme with around 1.4 million viewers tuning in last year.
