Members of the Irish diaspora from all across the world have been invited to become part of the virtual audience for a Late Late Show on Saint Patrick's Day.

On March 17, The Late Late Show will broadcast on a Wednesday night for the first time in its 59-year history.

Ryan Tubridy will host the evening's festivities, with Irish people from across the world invited to apply to be part of the virtual audience on the night.

Traditionally, hundreds of thousands of people from across the world flock to Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day, with parades and celebrations also taking place across the world.

This year, although public events may be cancelled, The Late Late Show will become a global hub for St Patrick's Day celebrations, uniting Irish people everywhere for a very special evening of entertainment.

"Since the pandemic hit, we have made it our business to embrace Ireland like never before on The Late Late Show and show the best of who we are, and that is what we are going continue to do on St Patrick's day, and in some style!" says host Ryan Tubridy.

"People cannot come to Ireland this year, and we can't go visit, so what we can do is put on an extravaganza that celebrates the joy, beauty, and passion of being Irish with some big names and familiar faces and an evening of celebration and escapism.

"We want you, the Irish abroad, to be a part of this evening in our virtual audience, to join in with family and friends watching here back home."

Viewers from abroad who wish to be in with a chance to participate in the virtual audience can log onto www.rte.ie/latelate for details.

Further information about this one-off show will be announced in the coming weeks.