Northern Ireland

Patrick Kielty says 'another dream comes true' as he prepares to present his first Late Late Toy Show

Patrick Kielty will present his first Late Late Toy Show on Friday. Picture from Evan Doherty/ RTÉ
Patrick Kielty will present his first Late Late Toy Show on Friday. Picture from Evan Doherty/ RTÉ
By Suzanne McGonagle

Co Down presenter and comedian Patrick Kielty says this weekend "another dream comes true" as he prepares to present his first Late Late Toy Show.

Just two months after taking over at the helm of the RTÉ One show, Kielty is about to host the annual Christmas edition of the chat show that traditionally heralds the start of the Christmas season across Ireland.

While Kielty has admitted that the pressure is on, he also spoke of the significance of presenting the iconic Christmas show that he grew up watching with his own family in Dundrum.

He told viewers on Friday of how as a young boy, he would sit on his father’s knee to watch the programme.

“Dreams will be coming true next week for kids all around the country during the Toy Show and for a small boy from Dundrum, Co Down who used to sit on his dad’s knee and watch Gay Byrne tell us all about the toys that if we were really lucky and were good boys might just turn up on Christmas morning," he said.

Kielty shared a photograph of himself as a young boy as applications for The Late Late Toy Show 2023 were opened last month
Kielty shared a photograph of himself as a young boy as applications for The Late Late Toy Show 2023 were opened last month

"Next Friday night, another dream comes true for me as I actually get to host the show that I watched as a wee fella with my mum, my dad and my brothers.

"Say a prayer for all on board as I try to hold it together and to all the kids who are watching tonight and are going to be watching next week and to all those let loose in the studio… one little sentence: Go easy on me, I can’t wait to see you."

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Expectations are high for Kielty as he prepares to become 'Toy Man', a role previously held by Ryan Turbidy.

Hundreds of children from across the island of Ireland will be testing numerous toys on the show as well as performing.

Kielty pictured ahead of his first Late Late Toy Show. Picture from Evan Doherty/ RTÉ
Kielty pictured ahead of his first Late Late Toy Show. Picture from Evan Doherty/ RTÉ

The theme of this year's Toy Show has still not been revealed and in previous years has only been unveiled on the morning of the programme.

An advert released by RTÉ ahead of the live programme shows Kielty in a classroom of kids who are teaching him about what he needs to do to fulfil their Toy Show wishes.

"What is the Toy Show," Kielty asks, with a young girl replying: "It's the most magical night of the year, you wouldn't want to miss it".

Another tells Kielty: "It's officially the start of Christmas", while another tells the comedian that he "needs to be chatty and you need to be kind of interesting".

The advert ends with a warning to Kielty: "Dont mess it up".

The Late Late Toy Show will be on RTÉ One on Friday at 9.35pm.