Ryan Tubridy has paid tribute to country music star Big Tom McBride, who passed away today, ahead of The Late Late Show Country Special this Friday.
It's one of the most anticipated Late Late Show's of the year, a show that Big Tom had been part of many times, and, following his death, producers have revealed that the show will pay tribute to the star on this Friday's Country Music special.
Speaking ahead of the show this Friday, host Ryan Tubridy paid tribute to the Four Country Roads singer. He said: "Big Tom was the King of Country for good reason. Today we've lost an icon and a man who was of great stature, both musically and personally.
"He is somebody who will be greatly missed by us on The Late Late Show and by me personally."
I enjoyed tremendously meeting him on more than one occasion and getting to know him a little bit and certainly enough to know that this is truly a sad day for the country music scene in Ireland. He will be missed by us all."
Big Tom appeared on The Late Late Show several times. Most recently he performed Four Country Roads in October 2015. And in May 2017 he sang A Love That's Lasted Through the Years on the show with Margo O'Donnell.
Speaking about this year's Country Music special Tubridy said: "This is the third year of our Country Specials and it has really established itself as one of the audience’s favourite Late Late Shows.
"It always gets a huge reaction and it’s one of the shows I am asked about again and again when I am out and about.
"There is a huge and very passionate fan base out there for Irish country - you see it in all corners of Ireland - and this Late Late will be a true celebration of the music they love."
The Late Late Show Country Special airs this Friday on RTÉ One at 9.35pm.
