The Late Late Toy Show brought the country together as only it can on Friday, with first-time host Patrick Kielty and the young stars summoning all the mirth and magic that the Elf theme promised and the Toy Show Appeal raising over €3.3 million.
"The most wonderful night of the year" began with an all-singing, all-dancing performance of Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.
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After whoops of delight from the crowd, Patrick Kielty took a moment to reflect.
"Given the events of the last 24 hours, it is important to remember what this time of year is all about, and that is holding your kids tight this Christmas," he said.
"We are thinking of every family who needs an extra hug tonight."
Arms wrapped around all, the fun continued with only the ad breaks providing a pause for breath in a show that shifted the focus back to the toy testing of years gone by, with Kielty letting the youngsters lead the way.
"I'm not sure who'll run out of batteries first," confided the host early in the night. Co Down's biggest kid need not have worried: his love of devilment and a good yap powered him through to the finish.
The proceedings were not as anarchic as Ryan Tubridy's Toy Show tenure but were no less enjoyable for feeling more structured, with Kielty using his comic timing and stagecraft to his advantage on another nerve-racking first night.
Watch: Granny Carol is surprised by her family who she hasn't seen in six years on Late Late Toy Show
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Among the many highlights were a family reunion all the way from Australia, guest appearances by Matilda star Alisha Weir and Irish rugby internationals Bundee Aki and Peter O'Mahony, and "the trip of a lifetime" to the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida for Tipperary youngster Sophie Quirke.
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By the close, the Toy Show Appeal tally had reached €3.1 million - and counting - with Kielty and everyone else glowing that bit more than at 9:35pm.
"I have survived my first Toy Show," he said.
"Thank you to everyone here tonight who helped a small boy from Dundrum. Thanks to all the kids who created the magic in our studio. Thanks for going easy on me.
"And to you at home, who are no doubt holding each other that little bit tighter tonight, thank you for letting me be your buddy this evening."
Same time next year, then.
Catch up on all the Late Late Toy Show magic on the RTÉ Player.
