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Stars of Toy Shows from Christmases past reflect on 'magical experience'

Excitement is building across the country for tonight's Roald Dahl themed Late Late Toy Show. Ove...
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98FM

15.44 27 Nov 2020


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Stars of Toy Shows from Christ...

Stars of Toy Shows from Christmases past reflect on 'magical experience'

98FM
98FM

15.44 27 Nov 2020


Share this article


Excitement is building across the country for tonight's Roald Dahl themed Late Late Toy Show.

Over one million people are set to tune in live for the festive television favourite.

This year's theme is The Wonderful World or Roald Dahl, but unlike previous years, there will be no live studio audience.

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However, there will of course be performances from children throughout the night.

In anticipation of tonight’s show, past guests of the Toy Show spoke to Lunchtime Live about their experiences.

Louise Boden was on the Toy Show in 1991, 1992 and 1993 performing as part of the Billie Barry Stage School.

She said: "It's an exciting night ahead for kids to be watching the Toy Show and it definitely brings me back.

"I can imagine what the kids who are performing on the Toy Show are going to feel tonight, it's so exciting for them."

Louise said that while appearing on the show when she was a child was "a huge thing", it has grown "even bigger" now.

She said: "In those days, performing on the show was such a big deal.

"I remember the excitement of the rehearsals and the energy that was put into preparing for it as a kid.

"The first year I did it, it was a snow scene so we were all dressed in gorgeous white outfits with furry warmers for our hands and we would all throw snowballs.

"The next year, Bart Simpson was a big deal and we were all dressed in the latest bumbags and glittery gear and flat caps."

Louise added that some parts of their performances could be chosen from the annual Billie Barry pantomime, while others were completely original to the Toy Show.

Stars of Toy Shows from Christmases past reflect on 'magical experience'

00:00:00 / 00:00:00

Lunchtime Live

    

Rebecca and Jenny

Sisters 9-year-old Rebecca and 12-year-old Jenny were on last year's programme and presented dolls and dollhouses.

Jenny said: "It was a magical experience and one of the best days of my life.

"Rebecca and I were presenting a toy, and my favourite toy is the Lolly Doll because they send a message to everyone and they're all different in their own way.

"Ryan was so nice and it was so much fun."

Both girls are very excited about tonight's show and will be making it a family event.

Jenny added: "We're going to sit on the couch tonight and get into our pyjamas and the whole family is going to watch it."

Eva

Eva performed in 2003 and presented arts and craft toys alongside Harry Potter actress Evanna Lynch.

She said: "It really does bring back memories every single year.

"Pat Kenny was the host back then, my granny was an avid fan of the Late Late Show so I remember calling back Pat to the table to say that my granny loves the show and she watches it every week.

"It really is an institution in Irish society.

Ben

Ben appeared on the show with his sister to present toy helicopters in 2010 and has since gone on to work as an actor.

He said: "I was doing drama classes since I was eight or nine, and I just kept at them and started going for auditions.

"I've done a couple of short films and now I'm filming something with RTÉ so keeping busy."

Main image: The set of this year's Toy Show. Credit: Andres Poveda Photography

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Christmas Christmas Toys Late Late Toy Show Roald Dahl The Toy Show Toy Show 2020

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