The countdown is on! On Friday 26th of November, Ryan Tubridy will dig out his dodgiest Christmas jumper in order to kick off Christmas and host The Late Late Toy Show for his 13th year.

According to the Toy man, this year's event is set to be a spectacular celebration of colour following a dark eighteen months of the COVID-19 pandemic:

"It's very special," he told Radio 1 listeners. "You see, what we are doing with the Toy Show this year is, we get the sense... last year there was a sort of darkness in the air, and yet you had to make the colour shine through."

"This year, the darkness isn't as pronounced. If you're wondering where it's going to go, I think it is post-war fun and games and kind of crazy."

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From where to watch and what to expect, we've listed everything you need to know ahead of the most magical night of Irish telly.

Where and when?
The Late Late Toy Show is set to air on Friday, 26th November at 9:35 pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

Living abroad?
Not to worry, this year's show will be available to watch worldwide live on the RTÉ Player on both the desktop and the app.

ISL and AD
This year we will have Amanda Coogan, Aisling Dragoi and Sarah Jane O'Regan presenting The Late Late Toy Show live with Irish Sign Language (ISL) on the RTÉ News channel and RTÉ Player. The Late Late Toy Show ISL will be available for catch-up after the live broadcast.

Audio Description (AD) will also be available for the repeat on Monday night, and catch-up on RTÉ Player after the repeat. A fully accessible version (with subtitles, ISL and AD) will be broadcast on Wednesday 1st December, which will also be available on catch-up.

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What's the theme?
As always, The Late Late Toy Show's theme is RTÉ's best-kept secret right up until the big set reveal. We are delighted to FINALLY reveal that this year's show will be inspired by Disney's The Lion King!

After a stressful eighteen months, this year's show looks set to live the Hakuna Matata 'no worries’ philosophy with children ruling the jungle in the studio and at home, for the most exciting TV event of the year.

Speaking on the theme, host Ryan Tubridy said: "Everyone has been locked up for a long time and that’s why we need to head out into the wild and join our friends in The Lion King."

"This isn’t just a theme; it is a movement. Every child can leave the house and leave the room and leave the kitchen and roam free in the jungle of their families because they are the boss tonight. So, it is the future, it is wild, and it is beautiful. Join us in the jungle, we will see you tonight."

Following in the footsteps of last year's Roald Dahl-inspired show, this year will feature not one, but two musical performances from Ryan.

"I know people have had a tough time lately and the last thing they probably need is a second song and dance number from me. But we got so carried away last year with Singing In The Rain, they asked would I do a second number. While the opening might be sort of a crazy chaotic number, the second number is a bit more polished."

Which toys will be featured?
Toys have kindly been sent in from toy retailers all around the country, and the toys demoed by children on The Late Late Toy Show will be donated to charities across the country in time for Christmas. A list of the toys featured will be available on the show website www.rte.ie/lifestyle following the broadcast.

The Toy Show Appeal
The Toy Show Appeal is back for its second year running, which last year raised a staggering €6.6mn of much-needed funds for Irish charities where an estimated 635,690 children and their families will benefit from a huge variety of different support organisations.

Donations can be made via www.rte.ie/toyshowappeal and we are pleased to this year to welcome proceeds through the Donations tab on the Revolut app which will go live on the night.

Who will be there?
Ryan and his army of toy testers will return to RTÉ One to bring the magic of the Toy Show to all corners of the country, and reveal the most trendy new toys of the year.

Famous faces are a staple of this annual show. Whether it be Dermot Bannon or Davy Fitz, it's always amazing to see a child's face light up at the sight of their favourite personality.

Ed Sheeran was a decent surprise too.

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With the on-going pandemic, getting in-person celebrity surprises is no mean feat but the team at the Toy Show are a very clever bunch.

Last year, despite the restrictions, they managed to bring Dermot Kennedy on stage with super-fan Michael Moloney for a spectacular performance of Giants.

Not only that, but they managed to the power of technology to good use and organise a very special video message for Rock Is The Best Medicine singer Noah from U2's The Edge.

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Really, though, no celeb stands a chance of stealing the spotlight from the real stars of the night: the kids.

Children from across the country auditioned to be performers, entertainers, and toy testers - and they always stake their claim as fan favourites. Who could forget horology enthusiast John-Joe Brennan? Or how about Sophia Maher, who spoke about her experience with bullying?

Kids are an essential ingredient to making the magic of this show.

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RTÉ Social Media
The Late Late Toy Show excitement kicks off live on social media tonight with up-to-the-minute backstage updates and the biggest moments from the show on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

To join in the fun follow #LateLateToyShow #TotallyWorthIt, @LateLateRTE on Instagram, @RTELateLateShow on Twitter, @TheLateLateShow on Facebook and @latelaterte on TikTok.

Irish TikTok sensation Miriam Mullins will bring viewers on an exclusive behind the scenes look on TikTok at the final preparations for this year's show as Ryan and his jungle friends get ready to go live as the nation comes together.

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When did it all begin?
The Late Late Toy Show began in 1975 as a half-hour slot at the end of The Late Late Show as a way to give parents across Ireland some Christmas gift ideas while their children were sleeping.

Quickly, it grew into a one-night show in its own right, complete with child toy-testers and performers.

First presented by Gay Byrne, the mantle was handed to Pat Kenny in 1999, and remained in that position for ten years. The current presenter is Ryan Tubridy who took over in 2009.

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Sadly, Gay Bryne passed away following a long illness at the age of 85 in 2019. Reflecting on Gay's legacy as both a broadcaster and national treasure, Tubridy says we owe a lot to the original Toy Show host:

"It all started with Gay and on the night of The Toy Show, Gay transformed into Uncle Gaybo for the nation," he says. "I remember sitting down myself and watching him at home and the excitement at seeing this Toy Show man in action."

"Gay was doing the show in the 70s – and since then, it has taken on this almost mythical status as the one show of the entire year that you simply cannot miss."

Gay Bryne
Gay Byrne and Dustin on 'The Late Late' toy show (1997). Image courtesy of RTÉ Archives.

Who's tuning in?
Despite the COVID-19 restrictions, last year's show was a huge success, with 1.5 million viewers tuning in to the entire Roald Dahl-themed show, representing a 79% audience share.

Taking catch-up weekend viewing into account, the viewership goes up to 1.7 million which makes it one of the highest rating TV programmes, on a single channel, on record.

Not only that, but according to a survey published by Jurys Inn, 40% of Irish millennials have listed watching the Toy Show as their fondest throwback to their youth.

Basically, the Toy Show is for just about everyone - even Russell Crowe loves to tune in!

Full of incredible characters, knockout performances, amazing surprise guests (and an array of Ryan's Christmas jumpers) everyone is invited to be part of the most phenomenal night, where Christmas truly begins.

Stay up late…it will be totally worth it!

The Late Late Toy Show airs on Friday, November 26th on RTÉ One at 9:35pm.