RTE Toy Show dubbed ‘best ever’ after emotional scenes with kids in tears as several high-profile Irish stars appear

‘Laughed and cried. Well done all.’
THE Late Late Toy Show was an emotional rollercoaster this year with kids, the audience and viewers in tears over several heartwarming moments.

Host Patrick Kielty brought The Grinch, a Christmas classic, to life for his third, and potentially last, Toy Show.

While the Grinch is infamous for being “a mean one”, there was no sign of misery in the RTE studio tonight.

High-profile Irish stars were on hand to help make the show a magical experience for global audiences.

Roy Keane, CMAT, Shane Lowry and Kingfishr all appeared on the Christmas special, with some stars from further afield also joining in on the fun.

To kick start 2025’s special the Grinch crashed the RTE studio with an unforgettable Late Late Toy Show opening.

After hours beauty prep, Kielty was transformed into the infamous green humbug.

And the Down comic had Jim Carrey’s grumpy mannerisms down to a tee tonight as he zip-lined into the Donnybrook set to greet the audience and the over one million viewers at home.

Kielty was then joined by kids from all over the country, who were dressed up as the loveable residents of Whoville, to dance to Elton John’s hit song Step into Christmas.

The Late Late Show set looked like it was straight from the pages of Dr Seuss — featuring whimsical houses and a town square.

The opening of tonight’s extravaganza was narrated by actor Liam Neeson, who has recorded a voice-over specially for the show.

Speaking after his thrilling opening performance, Kielty said: “Coming to you this year, live from Whoville! Yep! As in, who’s that complete eejit dressed as the Grinch? So, whoever you are, whoever you’re with – it’s time for some fun.

“It’s December the fifth and wherever you’re watching with whoever is dear, we say, beelin’ to the night of the year.

“Now I know what you’re thinking, and you’re probably right, that if I keep speaking in rhyme, this is going to be a very long night.

“But don’t worry, folks, that’s not going to be happening. No, we do have a huge night of fun ahead. We have amazing kids like these guys helping us save Christmas and kick off our show.”

“Let’s hear it for all the Mooses, the Meeses, the Mares, the Mini Grinches and the Munchies.

“As always we’re going to raising money for some amazing charities with the Toy Show appeal, and as you’ve all been so good, all been so good this year, we’ve got some incredible guests joining us to make some big dreams come true.

“We’re also joined by 200 guests whose dreams have already come true. They have a ticket for the Toy Show.”

TEE-RIFIC START

Ryder Cup hero Shane Lowry was first up to deliver a Christmas surprise on tonight’s Late Late Toy Show.

The golf star had a special message for six-year-old Declan after the young lad performed Rory McIlroy’s famous washing machine trick with Patrick Kielty.

Lowry recorded a special video for the young golf fan to invite him to next year’s Irish Open.

RTE also produced a signed Ryder Cup flag for Declan, who could barely believe what was happening as the studio erupted.

Sports fans in the audience and watching at home were in for a treat as Roy Keane later appeared on the Christmas set.

The Manchester United legend was on hand to make dreams come true for toy testers Dylan and Keelan.

The best pals had made their way over to a toy tower in studio, with Kielty explaining the lads would have the chance to win some toys for children in hospital.

And dropping hints of what was to come Patrick used the iconic Keane line “that’s his job”, wearing a Christmas jumper with the stars face above that very quote.

But when Keane appeared from behind the toy tower to chants of “Keano” from the audience he wagged the finger at the host.

He told him: “That’s my line” as shocked Man United fan Keelan stared mouth open.

But jokester Keane had plenty of praise for the two young fans who took on the charity challenge in what he dubbed “double quick time”.

TEARS ALL ROUND

And the best friend duo also got a another celebrity surprise curtesy of RTE.

Before Keane’s visit brave Keelan had opened up to Patrick about his Tourette’s admitting to being a little “nervous”.

Patrick asked Keelan what his “superpower” is and he replied: “Ticks and Tourette’s. Ticks is movement and Tourette’s is sounds.”

The 10-year-old got a little teary eyed before best pal Dylan showed him some calming breathing techniques.

The toy testers demonstrated how to play one of their favourite karaoke games, Grab the Mic with Keelan performing Lewis Capaldi‘s song Someone You Loved.

Keelan spoke about how much he loves Lewis Capaldi saying: “He encourages me to sing more. Also, he has Tourette’s like I do. I loved him before he came out with that.”

Patrick then surprised the boys with a special video message from the Scottish singer.

Lewis said: “Hello, Keelan. Hello, Dylan. It’s Lewis Capaldi here. I just wanted to do a little video to say hello. I know you’re on the Toy Show tonight, and I hope you’re having a lovely time. But I’m sorry I can’t be there.”

The hit singer then invited the boys to be “VIP guests” to his Dublin gig in Marlay Park next year.

And then everyone was shedding a tear, with Keelan and Dylan sharing a tissue to wipe their tears, studio audience members and viewers at home getting choked up.

EMOTIONAL PERFORMANCE

And Irish band Kingfishr got tears flowing again after joining young musicians in studio for a rendition of their hit song Killeagh.

Musical performances from young talent are a huge part of the Late Late Toy Show’s charm.

Patrick Kielty told audiences that the song, written about a small parish in Cork, was the top audition song ahead of Toy Show night this year.

So, RTE bosses decided to gather up several hopefuls to perform the hit on the night.

And as the young group were performing the acoustic hit Eddie, Eoghan and Eoin from the Limerick formed band joined in.

The children couldn’t hide their shock and smiles as they rounded off the performance with the bands’ help.

One superfan was reduced to tears during the song, covering his mouth in disbelief that his idols had joined him on stage.

After the emotional scene lead singer Eddie Keogh told Keilty: “They’re all giving us a run for our money. They were unbelievable.”

And the popular Irish band met up with the teary young fan backstage to snap a picture.

‘THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING’

Irish superstar CMAT also surprised a group of school kids on the show after racing from her 3Arena gig.

Patrick had informed the Virgin Mary School Choir earlier in the show they would be coming to the studio to perform.

The youngsters had been gathered for a watch party when they were surprised on camera and loaded onto a bus to make the trip to Donnybrook.

The group closed out the show with a performance of CMAT’s Stay For Something, followed by a video message from the star apologising for missing the Toy Show.

But she then appeared behind the group in a festive costume after dashing from the 3Arena.

She told Kielty: “My makeup artist has spent a very long time on this makeup. So if I cry I will get in a lot of trouble.

“But I can’t look at these children because it was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard in my life. That was so amazing.”

SAOIRSE’S ‘LEGACY’

And it was CMAT who revealed the final sum of the Toy Show Appeal alongside Patrick Kielty.

The fundraiser was inspired by youngster Saoirse Ruane, who sadly passed away in March 2024.

The young girl won the nation’s hearts when she appeared on the Toy Show during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, aged 8, to speak about her fight with cancer.

Millions of euro has been raised through the appeal over the past number of years, following the Galway girl’s appearance on the show.

And CMAT revealed the Toy Show Appeal for 2025 has raised a whopping €4,003,179 so far.

Saoirse was honoured during the second Toy Show since her passing with a touching set tribute.

RTE placed a gold star that read “Saoirse’s Star” on top of the Christmas tree in the studio, with a camera shot lingering there to close out the show.

Viewers were moved by the gesture and took to social media saying: “Love this and glad her legacy lives on.”

TV GOLD

Christmas messages played throughout the show from viewers abroad joining the millions tuning in.

The over two-hour run featured all the Toy Show classics, with the County Parade and ride-on toy section amalgamation returning again this year.

The annual book corner also gave viewers a fan favourite in little Aryan.

He captured audiences’ hearts in a full pilot costume and even treated viewers to an Irish jig after talking through his books with Patrick.

Closing out the Christmas bonanza Patrick Kielty delivered on of the Grinch’s iconic lines.

He told the camera: “Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store, maybe Christmas means something more.”

And viewers at home were delighted with this year’s offering dubbing it the best yet.

One said on social media: “TV GOLD. Well done to all involved. Best Toy Show ever.”

Another added: “I have to say that was the best Toy Show I’ve watched in years.”

A third wrote: “Brilliant Toy Show tonight. Four adults in my house, we all loved it. Laughed and cried. Well done all.”