The Grinch is the Theme for This YearS Late Late Toy Show

Patrick Kielty has revealed that the Christmas classic The Grinch will be the theme for tonight’s Late Late Toy Show, as he prepares for his third time hosting the eagerly-awaited annual extravaganza.

“The theme of this year’s Toy Show is The Grinch, which means that someone may have to dress up as the Grinch. A lot of people may think that there’s not much makeup needed for that!” he laughed during a sneak-peek visit to the spectacularly decked-out set in RTÉ’s Studio 4.

“I’m very excited,” the co Down presenter continued.”Growing up in our house, Christmas never really started until you sat down and you watched The Grinch properly. There are a lot of lines in it that we would normally quote to each other, even when it’s not Christmas.”

While Kielty was keen to stress the 300-plus children from all over Ireland who will take to the stage tonight are the “stars of the show”, he revealed he might be busting a move at some stage.

“I think there’s a tiny bit of dancing there, but maybe not as you think…” he coyly disclosed.

[Image of Patrick kielty saying the kids are the “stars of the show”]

The final preparations were busily underway on set, with a group of very polished dancers hitting the floor ahead of our visit to the magical, snow-capped world of Whoville – created by RTÉ’s very own production designer elves – which has been generously strewn with cuddly toys.

Kielty teed up “amazing performers, we’ve got some amazing kids, we’ve got some amazing stories this year” and added that there’ll be “some surprises” along the way, in classic Toy Show style.

The opening of this year’s Toy Show will be narrated by none other than Irish acting legend, and famously gravelly-voiced, Liam Neeson, who recorded a voiceover especially for this year’s show.

Seemingly hinting at Neeson’s involvement, Kielty said: “I still can’t quite believe we’ve managed to get that sorted!”

[Image of Patrick Kielty on the set of the Toy Show]

Even though the pre-show nerves are “always there”, even with two excellently-executed Toy Shows under his belt, Kielty said he “can’t wait” to get going.

“There are two moments I always love. The first moment is to get up and running, whenever we’re on air and you can’t control it – this is a show that has got a life of its own,” he laughed.

“The moments that actually make this show are not the moments we plan, [they] are the moments that just happen on the night.”

“I’m now at the Zen Buddha stage of Toy Show w