Popstar CMAT led a night of big-name surprises on the 50th anniversary of the Late Late Toy Show, arriving straight from her sold-out 3Arena gig to join a line-up that included Roy Keane, Lewis Capaldi, Shane Lowry and Kingfishr.
The Virgin Mary Girls School Choir from Dublin, who sang, Stay For Something by CMAT, were at the heart of her Toy Show moment.
In a video message played before her appearance, she told them: “Hi Kids, CMAT here, I heard you are going to be performing one of my songs on the Late Late Toy Show, that’s so amazing. I am so sorry I can’t make it, I am backstage at the 3Arena, I really would have given anything to be there… I wish… Guess what…”
She then walked out to loud cheering and gasps of delight to meet the choir in person.
Speaking about her 3Arena show, she said: “It was really good, and it was like five minutes ago.”
Clearly moved by the choir’s performance, she added: “My make-up artist has spent a very long time on this make-up, so if I cry, I will get in a lot of trouble, so I can’t look at these children because it was the most beautiful thing I have ever heard in my life. That was so amazing.”
Watch: Lewis Capaldi had a special surprise for Dylan and Keelan – it was totes emosh!
In one of the most heartwarming moments in Toy Show history, best friends Dylan and Keelan, both aged 10 and from Dublin, were surprised by a video message from Capaldi, who appeared on screen from Australia.
“Hello Keelan, hello Dylan, it’s Lewis Capaldi here. I just wanted to send a little video as I know you are on the Toy Show tonight, I hope you’re having a lovely time. I’m sorry I can’t be there, I’m in Australia at the minute,” he said.
“I love Ireland and I love playing in Ireland and I’m playing in Marlay Park in Dublin next summer. I want to invite both of you to be my VIP guests for the day. I hope you can make it, it’d be embarrassing if you decline!”
Then came another shock when former Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane casually sauntered onto the Toy Show set to meet the boys in person, after they had been chatting to host Patrick Kielty about their friendship.
“Do your jobs!” he told the two lads, before praising them for “looking after each other, supporting each other”.
Watch: Well look who it is! Roy Keane
There was more sporting star power earlier in the show when Irish golfer Shane Lowry made six-year-old Declan’s night with a message of encouragement and an invitation to the Irish Open.
“I’m sorry I can’t be in Ireland tonight, but I have heard all about you. Six years old and swinging it great,” Lowry said.
“Keep enjoying it and keep practising, because a love for the game will take you a long way. Maybe one day I’ll be the one sitting at home watching you on TV.”
Watch: Conor Bradley made Layla’s Liverpool FC dreams come true
There was more soccer magic when Liverpool fan Layla proved to be the better player after going head to head with diehard Manchester United fan Patrick Kielty in a penalty shoot out.
After a quick round of football trivia, Layla was surprised by Liverpool player Conor Bradley, who invited him and his family to attend Anfield for a VIP experience and a match.
To top it off, he also asked Layla to walk out with him and the team as their mascot.
Watch: Shane Lowry made Declan’s day with an invitation to the Irish Open
Elsewhere, the Toy Show’s All-Ireland All Stars of singers and musicians, including Aoife and Tara, both aged nine from Cork, performed Kingfishr’s hit song Killeagh, currently the most listened to song in Ireland on Spotify.
Midway through the performance, Kingfishr themselves came out to join in, surprising the young performers.
Watch: Kingfishr surprised the All-Ireland All Stars singers and musicians to sing Killeagh
Afterwards, the band said the children had “given them a run for their money” and added: “We spent our whole childhood watching the Toy Show and to do something like this is the honour of our lives”.