THE Late Late Toy Show made a pitstop in Cork yesterday in search of young talent to feature on their iconic festive programme.
Ryan Tubridy was among those to meet and greet auditionees at the Metropole Hotel on MacCurtain Street as part of the first regional talent search in the RTÉ show’s history. The presenter said he was particularly struck by the confidence and friendliness of Cork boys and girls.
RTÉ’s Ryan Tubridy pictured at the Cork auditions for The Late Late Toy Show held in The Metropole Hotel, Cork with students from Joan Denise Moriarty School Of Dance
Picture Clare Keogh
“Most kids are shy and need a little warming up, but Cork children are in a different league because they’re convinced they’re from the real capital despite the fact that we often have to convince them otherwise,” he joked.
But the presenter put humour aside to give a nod to Cork’s young talent.
RTÉ’s Ryan Tubridy pictured at the Cork auditions for The Late Late Toy Show held in The Metropole Hotel, Cork with Voice work singers Aishling O’Shaughnessy, Aishling O’Shea, Katie McCaoy, Saoirse Cogan, Aishling Brett and Kate Hogan
Picture Clare Keogh
“The children here have a great confidence and friendliness about them,” he added. “The kids we’ve met today have been great and are giddy, silly and full of fun.”
One Cork brother and sister act that caught the ear of Mr Tubridy were nine-year-old Thiha Kearney-O’Sullivan, and her little brother, Kaleb, aged five from Kanturk, who could be heard playing concertina while waiting to audition.
“If I could book them for the show today I would,” he said, “but unfortunately that’s not my call.”
Their parents, Eamonn O’Sullivan and Helen Kearney, were delighted with the remarks and emphasised how much their children had enjoyed the experience.
Dylan Kenehan, age 11 from Kanturk, has already graced the small screen with his tremendous vocal talent.
He said: “I was on show called the Real Deal where you have to guess which person has the hidden talent.”
Leah McAree, from Clonakilty, who forms part of girl group, One Voice, hopes that she can finally fulfill her Late Late Toy Show dream.
“Me and the other girls in the group always get together to watch the programme so it would be amazing if we could actually be on it this year. Some of us in the band are 14 which means we’ll probably be passed the age limit next year so this is really our last chance,” she said.