Ryan Tubridy was holding back tears as he dedicated his final show as host of the Late Late Show to his family.
The episode had multiple highlights, from a thought-provoking interview with President Higgins to U2 giving the host a red Vespa as a gift and PJ Gallagher driving into the studio with it, to Saoirse Ronan and Tubridy’s idol Paul McCartney sending him video messages.
Charlie Bird made an emotional speech which reduced viewers to tears, and Ryan met Adam King and Saoirse Ruane, the girl who started off the Late Late Toy Show appeal, which so far has raised €18m. Also, Jedward made a surprise appearance which was the highlight of the event for some fans.
Read more: Luas trams are 'more dangerous' than ever, claim security staff
However, for Ryan the most emotional moment came when he dedicated the show to his family. Ryan said: "My greatest gratitude tonight, I hope you don't mind me saying, I have dedicated this show tonight to my family.
My mother can't be here tonight because she is recovering but I want to send her all my love. She was here one night sitting in the audience and Michael Buble was standing over there.
"She loves Michael Buble. And he was singing, 'I still haven't met you yet' and he was doing his thing. There were two hundred people in the audience and 199 were looking at Michael Buble and I was looking at the audience going, 'they are loving this'.
"I looked at Buble who us brilliant and was singing away. Then I looked back again and noticed all the faces were looking at him apart from one - it was my mother going, 'you are doing great'.
He added: "That's what it is all about. It is about family when all is said and done. I want to say how much I admire her and appreciate her and my brothers and sisters are my rock.
"But especially, obviously, my two girls. To Ella and to Julia, you know this I have said it so many times, I love you so much they haven't created a word for it yet. And that's the truth."
READ NEXT:
Best friend of woman missing for five years 'will not give up until justice is done'
Pictures show Katie Taylor's injuries from Chantelle Cameron fight
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox..
