RYAN Tubridy said the Late Late Show will be in “safe hands” when comedian Patrick Kielty takes the reins next season.
The 49-year-old presenter, who will turn 50 tomorrow (SUN), paid an emotional farewell after being at the helm of the programme for 14 years to viewers and vowed they would celebrate his last episode in “style”.
Last night’s programme began with a clip of Tubridy receiving a standing ovation during his first Late Late Show in September 2009.
Read More: RTE Late Late Show LIVE as Ryan Tubridy bids farewell alongside final guests
A montage of the most iconic moments from the years was shown next including when Tubridy asked Tom Cruise how his Irish accent was, Niall Horan revealing he would watch the Toy Show on the RTE Player, and when a bottle of Fanta caused him to swear.
Addressing the audience following a lengthy standing ovation and applause, Tubridy said: “Ladies and gentlemen, good evening and welcome to my last Late Late Show.”
He joked: “You might not have heard and not much has been said or written about it but I am vacating the seat tonight.”
The top presenter added: “I want to wish the very best to the new man in the job Patrick Kielty. "He takes the reins next season.
“Great choice, lovely fella, and the Late Late is in great safe hands and I can’t wait to see what he does with the job … Good luck Paddy, it’s going to be wonderful.”
The presenter said he wasn’t able to do his “shopping” this week because of the number of hands he’s “shaken” and “hugs” he’s gotten.
The Dubliner added: “It’s been a wonderful 14 years and we’ve had 14 Toy Shows … I said that first because I knew you would clap. We’ve had wonderful country specials of course and Valentine’s proposals and duets and reunions.
“Tonight, we’ll celebrate the last show in style with a cast of thousands.”
A pre-recorded wide-ranging interview with President Michael D. Higgins was shown first.
They spoke about a number of topics including the recent anti-immigration protests.
Some of Toy Show favourites from over the years then made an appearance last night.
They performed a song called Cups which has the lyrics “You’re Going to Miss Me When I’m Gone”. Saoirse Bates, who opened the performance, originally sang the song on the Toy Show back in 2013.
Before the song, Tubs spoke again about his love for the Toy Show.
He said fronting the beloved annual programme was like being Santa’s ambassador.
Tubridy explained: “When you walk into a shop and you see a little child holding their mum or dad or aunty or uncle’s hand and the child sees you and the jaw drops and they go ‘The Toy Man’”.
He added: “Over the past 14 years, we’ve seen children surprised by their heroes, reunited with long lost family members and there have been some really special moments where the children of Ireland have taught us adults a thing or two along the way about life.”
Shortly after their performance, a visibly emotional Tubridy said he was “lost for words”.
He explained: “See when you do the Toy Show, I never really see too many of the children again.
“I always think you’re part of my strange weird family but I have you trapped like a fly in amber. I always think you’re going to stay that age because that is how I associate you but when I see you all grown up and looking so elegant and smart and talented, I just want to say thank you … I’m a little bit lost for words.”
Adam King, who captured the nation's hearts during the Covid-19 pandemic when he was on the Toy Show in 2020, also made an appearance and the entire audience stood up and held "virtual hug" signs in a tear-jerking moment.
Tubs was then presented with a framed "virtual hug".
In a previous interview about quitting the show, the presenter said he was ready to step out of the limelight.
Speaking to the RTE Guide previously, Ryan said: “My life was lived in the glare of the limelight for 20 years so yes, that was one of the reasons. I wanted to turn that light down. I just think I had my fill of being public property at that level.
“Now I’ve always accepted the fame thing was part and parcel of the job, but then you hit an age and think, ‘That was lovely, but I don’t want to play that game anymore.’
“Last summer, the seeds were sown in my head, but it got short-circuited in the last few months. So no one thing, but a tapestry of events that helped to lead me to where I am today.”
RTE bosses were understood to be shocked by Tubridy’s decision but he said that his decision to quit was “non-negotiable”.
He previously explained: “There was no bartering to be done as they were told what was happening by me and that it was non-negotiable.
“I was leaving the show and there was a full stop after that. They were very good about it and took it on board.
“I know my mind and they knew that. It was very amicable: shake hands and good night.”
He said that his family has made “sacrifices” for his job and said: "My family has made sacrifices for this job and I’ll never be able to thank them enough for that. They are my be-all and end-all and it has always been family first and career second.
“I’m looking forward to hanging out with my daughters, who were girls when I first started this show and are now women. They are extraordinary young women who will kill me for talking about them so I will stop now.”
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