Late Late Toy Show theme clue from Ryan Tubridy as RTE host says focus will be 'Christmas and kindness'

Ryan Tubridy has revealed the biggest clue yet for this year’s Late Late Toy Show theme – its focus will be “Christmas and kindness”.

Tubs and the RTE team visited Cork today for this year’s auditions.

Demand for the 2019 Toy Show has surpassed previous years, with more than 100,000 applying for tickets in just a week.

Tubs said: “I am just buzzing for this year’s show. We are going big on Christmas.

“In past years I’ve been dressed as a lobster, Willy Wonka and a candle stick but this year’s costume is very peculiar. There is going to be plenty of mischief and magic.

“This year it’s not just about the toys, it’s all about generosity and kindness, which are the two touchstones in Ireland we want to highlight, especially with the current homeless crisis in the country.

Ryan Tubridy pictured with hopeful candidates at The Late Late Toy Show auditions at The Imperial Hotel in Cork city (Cathal Noonan)

Ryan Tubridy pictured with hopeful candidates at The Late Late Toy Show auditions at The Imperial Hotel in Cork city (Cathal Noonan)

“I was very taken aback by the photo of five-year-old ‘Sam’ that surfaced on the internet last week.

“The situation is so grim. We have a responsibility in the Toy Show to remind people of how fortunate many of us are.
We need to show more humanity.”

A host of talented youngsters flocked to Cork today to try earn their place in the biggest programme of the year.

The performers who were invited to audition had been whittled down from more than 5,000 applicants hoping to make the cut for the show on November 29.

Pictured at The Late Late Toy Show auditions at The Imperial Hotel in Cork with host Ryan Tubridy were Sin N Dhuinnn and Grainne Crowley from 'The Wispas' group (Cathal Noonan)

Pictured at The Late Late Toy Show auditions at The Imperial Hotel in Cork with host Ryan Tubridy were Robert Keane and David O'Donnell from Castlegregory, Co Kerry (Cathal Noonan)

Pictured at The Late Late Toy Show auditions at The Imperial Hotel in Cork with host Ryan Tubridy were Robert Keane and David O'Donnell from Castlegregory, Co Kerry (Cathal Noonan)

Choirs, musicians, dancers and magicians met with host Tubridy.

The 46-year-old said: “It all starts here – we always get such a fantastic welcome from Cork and the talent that is on offer all over this country is just something to behold”

Further auditions for acts hoping to perform will be held in Dublin later this week.