Patrick Kielty has urged viewers to expect tears as he revealed his first ever Late Late Toy Show theme to be his family’s No1 Christmas movie Elf.
The funnyman will be joined by film favourites Papa Elf, Santa, Leon the Snowman and a team of workshop helpers as he makes his highly anticipated debut tonight as Buddy.
Patrick said: “It is a big movie in our house. Sitting down to watch it with all the family has become a big Christmas tradition in our house and I can’t wait to let Buddy and the elves loose in the Toy Show Workshop tonight.”
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He was speaking as the Irish Mirror got a sneak peek at the new set featuring New York’s Central Park, The Toy Shop, Candy Cane Forest, and the film’s Post Office Workshop.
Patrick added: “We’re going to have elves, Santa, a little bit of New York, we are going to have a lot of fun.
“We’ve got some amazing kids, wonderful toys, and lovely surprises coming your way. I really hope you have as much fun watching as we are going to have making it.”
With just hours to go until he goes live, Patrick admitted it would be an emotional night for him as he opened up about how much hosting the iconic show means to him.
The dad-of-two added: “For me, having kids myself who are in the absolute sweet spot for this show, it’s a big big thing. And as someone who grew up watching the show, and walking around on the set, you turn back into being eight years of age and sitting there in Dundrum with the fire lit and watching the show with Gay Byrne.
“So it is a massive, massive honour to be walking out on Friday night and to be part of this party.
“The other thing is that it is a party and we are going to have a lot of fun and roll with the punches.
“And there could be one of two surprises, who knows.”
And he urged viewers not to be shocked if they see him shed a few tears throughout.
Patrick added: “I would say get yourself to Paddy Power and put a few quid on [me crying].
“We are trying to figure out how we can build in some hanky space in to some of the costume.”
As for nerves, the Co Down man said excitement is carrying him through – as well as the disbelief that his childhood dream is about to come true.
He added: “There is still a wee bit of ‘Is this actually happening?’
“It is exciting going in there and seeing the set and all of those things and weirdly all of that stuff brings you back to watching it as a kid.
“When we get out there on Friday and get the party started that is when it will start to sink in. So far there has been nothing but goodwill carrying me through. There was a moment recently where I was walking down the street and normally you have grown-ups coming up and going, ‘I thought that was good or rubbish,” or whatever.
“But there was this young couple and they had a wee girl who was five and she came up to me and said ‘are you the Toy Show guy’ and up until that point in my head mentally I thought no that’s not me, but suddenly I was going ‘yes, that is me’ and she was like ‘good luck’. And that is the point that puts you slightly over edge.” As the movie says, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is by singing loud for all to hear, and this year’s show will have more than 170 young performers and toy testers taking part.”
The children come from all over Ireland, with the youngest elf aged just four years old.
Patrick also teased that some famous faces could be making an appearance, saying: “The Toy Show is always full of surprises, there is always some kid that potentially has a hero and there may be some children with a big smile on their faces by the end of it – it is the magic of the Toy Show.”
However, one familiar face that won’t be in attendance is his wife Cat Deeley, who will be watching from their home in London with their sons Milo, seven, and five-year-old James.
Patrick said: “Cat will be watching at home trying to get the kids to bed.
“They will be watching from home like pretty much every other kid that watches the show. They’ve got their pyjamas, that delivery was made over the weekend, they’ve got their slippers, and we will see how many parts they can get through.
“They are five and seven, so half nine is past their bedtime to start with so I’d say if they can get past halfway and catch up on the player on Saturday they’ll be doing alright.
“But the good news about having a five and seven-year-old is they’ll be your biggest supporters but also your fiercest critic so let’s see what they are writing on Saturday morning.”
Patrick wouldn’t say if he would continue Ryan Tubridy’s tradition of a big opening song and dance number.
He explained: “I would say based on my performance with Daniel O’Donnell there may well be a chance I will never be allowed to sing and dance on RTE again. We have got some amazing performances and a few surprises and there is definitely a few costume changes which we have been working on and trying to fit them all in, so there will be singing and dancing but whether I will be singing and dancing is yet to be seen.”
Patrick also shrugged off any fears over viewing figures, saying: “I’m never concerned about that. This isn’t my show – this is a kids’ show, it belongs to everyone Irish at home and abroad.”
- The Late Late Toy Show airs on RTE One & RTE Player tonight at 9.35pm.
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