Remember these magic moments from The Late Late Toy Shows of Christmases past?
Skipping world record attempt on 'Late Late' toy show (1982)
Gay Byrne and Monsignor James Horan (1983)
Gay Byrne, Late Late Toy Show
Staunton children perform on Late Late toy show (1986)
Gay Byrne and Mary O'Sullivan (1986)
Gay Byrne presents 'The Late Late' toy show (1987)
'The Late Late' toy show (1987)
Gay Byrne presents Late Late toy show (1989)
Billie Barry Kids on 'The Late Late Show' (1989)
Gay Byrne and Pan Collins, Late Late Toy Show
Gay Byrne presents 'The Late Late' toy show (1989)
Gay Byrne and Dustin on 'Late Late' toy show (1996)
Gay Byrne on sleigh for 'Late Late' toy show (1996)
Gay Byrne with The Morbegs on 'Late Late' toy show (1996)
Liam Neeson and Gay Byrne on 'Late Late' toy show (1997)
Charlotte Church on 'Late Late' toy show (1998)
Keith Duffy and son Jordan on 'Late Late' toy show (1999)
'The Late Late' toy show (2000)
TV Presenter Pat Kenny has some fun with Rudolph the Reindeer yesterday at RTE studios in Dublin ahead of tonight's annual 'Late Late Toy Show'
RTÉ broadcaster Pat Kenny and Dustin (2005)
Ryan Tubridy's first ever 'Late Late Toy Show' has made him king of Irish TV.
Kathleen Kelpie, Bernie McCullagh, Mary McNasser and Debbie Forde with children Erin, James, Colin, Sam, Jack and Darragh with toys donated by The Late Late Toy Show, at the Holy Family Day Care Centre, Clarion Road, Sligo. (Photo: James Connolly)
'The Late Late Show' toy show (2013)
Ryan Tubridy gets some assistance from Santa’s little helpers during last night’s ‘Late Late Toy Show'.
Members of 'Strings and Stragglers', who will be appearing on The Late Late Toy Show on Friday night.
Ryan Tubridy with the performers on set of the Late Late toy Show last year
Late Late Show presenter Ryan Tubridy and children pictured at a sneak preview during rehersals on the set of the Late Late Toy
Ryan Tubridy opens the 2014 show with a 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' medley
Fergal Smith from Cavan (11) and Ryan Tubridy on the Late Late Toy Show
Ryan Tubridy enjoying the Late Late Toy Show
Charlotte O’Halloran Cork (6) show Ryan how to do some Ballet on the Late Late Toy Show 2013. Picture Andres Poveda
Spotlight Stage School Fairies – singing ‘My Best Friend’ on the Late Late Toy Show 2013. Picture Andres Poveda
Ed Sheeran and Aimee on 2014 Late Late Toy Show
Ryan Tubridy pictured during the opening of the RTÉ Late Late Toy Show. Picture Andres Poveda
Faye Keohane, who sang on the ‘Toy Show’ last night
Lara Reddy (6) during her appearance on the Late Late Toy Show last Friday
Lara Reddy (6) during her appearance on the Late Late Toy Show last Friday. Photo: Sasko Lazarov
The Late Late Toy Show's Ryan Tubridy with kids including Butterfly Lauren McMahon(5), Grass Emma McNally (9), Bumblebee Cillian Ryan (4) , Tiger Cub Arda Destire (8), Zebra Molly McLoughlin (11) and Monkey Niamh Mulvany (11) on the new jungle set ahead of tonights Show. Pic: Steve Humphreys
The Late Late Toy Show host Ryan Tubridy fooling around on the new jungle set with from left, Fionn Mc Mahon (8), Bernard Lawrence (12) Seanaí Mc Mahon (10) and Aron Moore (11) Pic Steve Humphreys
Ryan Tubridy pictured in the opening sequence of RTÉ The Late Late Toy Show 2016. Picture Andres Poveda
Noah Oglesey (9) from Carlow was Mowgli in the opening sequence of the Jungle Book themed RTÉ The Late Late Toy Show. Picture Andres Poveda
Elf yourself: Ryan Tubridy wears a festive jumper while hosting the 'Late Late Toy Show'
Dermot Bannon meets future architect Anna McGrath on The Toy Show. Photo: Andres Poveda
The Late Late Toy Show trailer
The Late Late Toy Show, RTE One, Friday, December 1
Now, more than ever, we need The Late Late Toy Show with its ability to transport children and adults to somewhere magical for three hours on a winter's Friday night.
Watching the Toy Show, with its dodgy Christmas jumpers, enchanting opening sequence, toys and adorable kids, is a tradition for families across the country and has been for the past 40 years.
Here's a look back at some of the highlights of Toy Shows past...
The opening sequence (2016)
Last year they promised the opening sequence would be the biggest and best yet and it was. From the joyous singing and dancing, to Ryan Tubridy's Baloo costume and the hundreds of children dressed as animals, it kicked off the show in style and Tubs and co have their work cut out for them to top it this year.
When Anna McGrath met Dermot Bannon (2016)
It's an annual thing, the celebrity surprise, but the kids remain adorably oblivious as they chat enthusiastically about their idols. Last year aspiring architect Anna McGrath, from Sligo, was delighted when Dermot Bannon surprised her on the stage after raving about how much she loves Room to Improve.
The little lad dancing (2016)
Those unscripted moments (of which there are many) with the children on teh Toy Show are the best bits. Last year a little boy in a whit t-shirt gave it socks during the Irish dancing sequence and it made all our ovaries burst.
Evelyn Cusack and Johnny (2015)
Another celebrity surprise saw Johnny lost for words when he encountered Met Eireann's Evelyn Cusack. Johnny was showcasing his own homemade weather forecast game when he was surprised by the well-known RTE weather presenter.
This is the moment weather fan Johnny met his hero Evelyn Cusack. #starstruck #LateLateToyShow pic.twitter.com/vM28A50iwS
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) November 27, 2015Ed Sheeran surprises superfan Aimee Keogh (2014)
One of the more high profile surprise guests was Ed Sheeran back in 2014. Aimee was demonstrating SingStar for Ryan Tubridy, singing along to Ed Sheeran's hit Lego House, when the man himself appeared on stage to surprise her. 'I'm hysterical!' she declared.
Domnhall meets his hero Robbie Keane (2013)
This is probably the most adorable reaction to meeting your hero ever! Initially chatty Domhnall is lost for words but soon gives Ryan a run for his money in the interview stakes.
When Ryan met Douglas (2010)
"You're certainly nailing the Christmas look, I have to say!" said aspiring fashion designer Douglas and we all fell instantly in love.
Toby meets Girls Aloud (2003)
Sometimes children don't quite react as you would expect, especially when you surprise them while they're performing. Little Toby sang Girls Aloud track 'Jump' for the audience but when the Girls appeared to surprise him he was a bit perturbed. When Pat Kenny asked him if he wanted to talk to the girls he said, 'No'. Bless.
John Joe Brennan (2009)
The legendary John Joe Brennan wanted to be a horologist and after a look at Ryan's watch he said, "It's a very good mark, next to Rolex."
Boyzone (1994)
The lads played Scalextric a year after they gave it socks with that legendary freestyle performance.
Charlotte Church (1998)
The Voice of an Angel lived up to her moniker with an enchanting festive performance.
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Danny from The Script's fist bump fail
Sometimes things just don't go to plan... We're blaming Danny for this one.
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Pat and Oisin (2000)
Whatever about kids you should NEVER work with animals. Oisin was much more interested in the inanimate polar bear than giving the paw.
Liam Neeson talking about his favourite toys (1997)
He's due another appearance we reckon. Check out the hair.
Liam Neeson and Gay Byrne on 'Late Late' toy show (1997)
Check out more noteworthy moments from The Late Late Toy show over the years on the RTE Player including golden moments from last year's show, a recap on the opening numbers, and the most memorable celebrity surprises.
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