IT MAY ONLY be November 30, but tomorrow night, the country will settle in for the Late Late Toy Show. And that means that Christmas is here.
Since 1975, the Toy Show has been an Irish cultural institution. Here are just some of the most fondly-remembered moments.
1. John Joe
Has anyone ever become an Irish icon as quickly as John Joe did in 2009? We will never forget him, or what a ‘horologist’ is.
2. ‘Any craic?’ ‘Níl’
This little lad was having none of Tubridy. *peddles away*
3. Pat Kenny getting a fright off a balloon
God, the tension racking up in that video. You know it’s going to happen, you just don’t know when.
4. When little Domhnall met his hero Robbie Keane
Domhnall was demonstrating the year’s new FIFA game and waxing lyrical about his favourite player, Robbie Keane, when the man himself appeared behind him.
His little face was just a picture of joy. :’)
5. Pat arriving in on an elephant in 2002
It was the boom time, so why not hire an elephant to bring a profoundly uncomfortable Pat into the studio? Theatrics!
6. Ed Sheeran surprising a young fan while she sang one of his songs
Was this the moment when Ed found a permanent home in Irish hearts? It may well have been.
7. Dustin haranguing Gay and Pat
An annual tradition that we very much miss.
8. Oisín from the Disney Club going rogue on the set
Oisín the talking Irish Wolfhound was dear to the hearts of 90s kids who tuned in to the Disney Club on RTÉ2 every weekend.
But poor Mary Kingston couldn’t keep him in check on the Toy Show in 2000, no matter how hard she tried. He was determined to sniff that polar bear’s bum.
9. Poor starstruck Toby turning down a chance to chat to Girls Aloud
They did sneak up on him, in fairness.
10. And of course… ‘Jerry Seinfield’
Sorry Pat, but this is gold, and it will never die.
