Donnacha O'Callaghan has said viewers will be in for some 'heart-warming moments' and 'brilliant craic' on the celebrity Two Talented Christmas Special on Saturday evening.
Two Talented is the show that sees the children mentor the adults as they prepare to perform a duet together on the big stage.
For the Christmas special, which airs this evening at 6.35pm on RTÉ One, Dancing with the Stars judge Brian Redmond, Fair City actor Maclean Burke, Irish Times journalist Róisín Ingle, and Country and Western singer Cliona Hagan will be braving the stage and belting out your Christmas favourites with their youngsters.
To get in the spirit of Christmas, we asked host Donncha O'Callaghan about his festive memories and traditions...
RTÉ Entertainment: What Christmas traditions do you and your family have?
Donncha: My wife Jenny's family have Special Christmas plates which we now have. There are the fights about the stuffing in the two families, Jenny’s Mom made bread, stuffing, mine potato, so now we’ve both! There will be two types of roasties this year, we will need an extra table for all the food.
Can you share a Christmas memory from you were younger?
They were all good! I think it’s the excitement you get when Santa is coming, not being able to sleep with the excitement. It’s the same feeling you’d get before a big match, that mix of nervousness and excitement. It’s even better now as a parent watching your own kids.
Are you on the naughty or nice list this year? Why?
Nice list, I think we are all on the nice list this year, everyone’s should get a pass for 2020.
Will Christmas be different for you this year?
Yes, it’s our wedding anniversary on the 23rd so we are really into gathering the troupes and having everyone around to ours, that will be different this year.
After such a tough year for everyone, can you share one positive thing that happened or that you will take from this year?
Honestly the vaccine is the most positive thing, everyone adapting and working together, it shows what a collaborative effort can achieve. Profit was put to the side, information was shared, everyone was on the same team and it shows what’s possible when people work together. You wonder what could be done to cure other illnesses with this approach?
What can you tell us about Donncha's Two Talented Christmas special?
Donncha’s Two Talented Christmas Special is that great mix of heart warming moments and brilliant craic. Parents are putting themselves out of the their comfort zones and the kids are having a ball! It’s a real Christmas buzz, despite everything going on at the moment.
What Christmas song do you like to sing?
Keep it simple – Jingle Bells, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, the ones anyone can sing!!
Favourite Christmas and why?
They were all good! I think it’s the excitement you get when Santa is coming. It’s even better now as a parent.
Favourtie Christmas movie?
Home Alone, but you have to watch it with my older brother Eddie. He roles around the place in stitches and he has this contagious laugh. We get him around now to watch it with our kids.
Best Christmas song?
When A Child Is Born
Best Christmas present?
He Man and his Fort, it was the in present at the time.
Brussles sprouts - yes or no?
YES!!
Donncha's Two Talented Christmas Special will be broadcast Saturday, December 19 at 6.35pm on RTÉOne.
