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Mum's the word Toy Show host Ryan Tubridy reveals pain of being separated from beloved mum (79)

“And the first lockdown was really hard for her. It was really, really tough and I was worried about her and I missed her, even though she only lives up the road.

RTÉ presenter Ryan Tubridy will channel Fantastic Mr Fox for the eagerly-anticipated opening number of The Late Late Toy Show 2020. Expand

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RTÉ presenter Ryan Tubridy will channel Fantastic Mr Fox for the eagerly-anticipated opening number of The Late Late Toy Show 2020.

RTÉ presenter Ryan Tubridy will channel Fantastic Mr Fox for the eagerly-anticipated opening number of The Late Late Toy Show 2020.

Andres Poveda

RTÉ presenter Ryan Tubridy will channel Fantastic Mr Fox for the eagerly-anticipated opening number of The Late Late Toy Show 2020.

Eoin Murphy

RYAN Tubridy has dedicated this years Late Late Toy Show to his dear mum Catherine.

Tomorrow night over a million Irish people across the globe will tune in to the annual feel-good TV bonanza.

In a year that has seen TV shows, axed, film sets closed and offices locked up, Ryan is delighted to say that the Toy Show is thankfully immune to Covid 19.

And he told the Sunday World that this year’s show is dedicated to a very special lady in his life--his mum Catherine.

“My mother (I will be thinking of her) and she is nearly 80 years old,” he said.

“And the first lockdown was really hard for her. It was really, really tough and I was worried about her and I missed her, even though she only lives up the road.

“To me, she reflected all the men and women in Ireland of that age who deserve our gratitude.

The theme for the show has been revealed to be The Wonderful World of Roald Dahl. Expand

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The theme for the show has been revealed to be The Wonderful World of Roald Dahl.

The theme for the show has been revealed to be The Wonderful World of Roald Dahl.

Andres Poveda

The theme for the show has been revealed to be The Wonderful World of Roald Dahl.

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“Because they stayed in. That is a horrible thing to do to them.

“I was bowled over by her and my family.

“I have found that it has been a very moving and humbling experience. I think I have learned a lot of life lessons from the pandemic.”

Ryan also said that one of the few upsides of the pandemic was that he got to really spend some quality time with his daughters Ella and Julia.

Although he thinks they are probably a little old to be watching their father host the Toy Show.

“Oh God no, they would be mortified,” he said.

“Who wants their dad to do the Toy Show?

“Of course, they will cast an eye over it.

Noelle Kinsella from Carlow will join Ryan for the opening number of The Late Late Toy Show 2020. Expand

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Noelle Kinsella from Carlow will join Ryan for the opening number of The Late Late Toy Show 2020.

Noelle Kinsella from Carlow will join Ryan for the opening number of The Late Late Toy Show 2020.

Andres Poveda

Noelle Kinsella from Carlow will join Ryan for the opening number of The Late Late Toy Show 2020.

“I do think it must be tough for them, particularly as teenagers.

“The girls are now 21 and 15, so they are women.

“Young women...who I have managed to, if it is possible, to get to know and love more.

“That was beautiful.”

The Toy Show will be screened live on RTE One tomorrow night at 9.35pm. It is also available to download free on the RTÉ Player across the globe.

The theme of this year’s show is the Wonderful World of Roald Dahl.

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