RTÉ’s Late Late Toy Show 2023 Breaks Records, Raises over €3.6 Million for Toy Show Appeal

The Elf-themed Late Late Toy Show, presented by RTÉ, has set new records and spread immense Christmas cheer while raising over €3.6 million for the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal. The show has left an indelible mark as the most-watched program of the year, achieving remarkable success on social media platforms and reaching an unprecedented global audience.

Hosted by Patrick Kielty, the show also marked his debut as the host, earning glowing praise from viewers and contributors. The event witnessed an enormously generous response from viewers, resulting in substantial donations to the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal, which aims to support children’s charities across Ireland.

Host Patrick Kielty said: “I’m still coming back down to earth from an amazing night last Friday. I want to express huge thanks to everyone who helped make this year’s Late Late Toy Show so special. To all of you who watched, to the brilliant kids who brought their magic and put a giant smile on all of our faces. And, to every last one of you who gave so generously to our Toy Show Appeal – you have made a massive difference to so many children’s lives – thank you! Being part of it is something I will never forget – a forever night!”

The widespread Christmas spirit was evident as global audiences from 147 countries connected with home through RTÉ Player, with live streams from various parts of the world, including first-time streams from locations such as Cameroon, British Virgin Islands, Rwanda, Sierra Leon, Iraq, and Afghanistan. The show has garnered immense attention and appreciation, with over 26.2 million video views and 2.2 million interactions on RTÉ’s social accounts, including trending hashtags on TikTok and Twitter.

The social media buzz surrounding the event highlighted the memorable performances of the young stars, with Stevie’s rendition of “Ireland’s Call” garnering 4.8 million views across multiple platforms. The enormous love and engagement across social media platforms underscored the powerful impact of the show and its resonance with audiences.

The grand success of the Late Late Toy Show 2023 has further solidified its significant impact, generating a strong appeal that has raised over €21 million since its inception in 2020. Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland, expressed profound gratitude for the extraordinary generosity of the viewers, emphasizing the transformative impact the donations will have on the lives of hundreds of thousands of children.

The show’s availability with Irish Sign Language (ISL) and its live streaming options on RTÉ Player and RTÉ News have facilitated broader accessibility, ensuring that the essence of the event reaches diverse audiences. Alan Tyler, Head of Entertainment, Comedy, and Music at RTÉ, commended the team’s hard work in creating a unique and special show, uniting homes across Ireland and the world and delivering a touch of Christmas magic to millions.

The Late Late Toy Show 2023 has undeniably left an enduring impact, bringing joy, generosity, and a sense of unity to audiences while leaving an invaluable mark on the lives of children in need.