Speaking to journalists ahead of the most magical night on Irish television, host Patrick Kielty says that his second venture on the Toy Show stage will involve Kevin McCallister, the Wet Bandits and a very special opening number...

"They've decided that there should be a little bit of an entrance that is not in my control," he says, smiling.

According to the team, there will be plenty of mischief with staircase sliding, snowball throwing, and some Wicked performances from this year's batch of 250 performers and toy testers. There may even be some surprise guests...

"As always, the surprises are always based on who our kids want to see, so we've got one or two that - if they work - should bring a smile to someone's face," teases the host.

Not only that, but there will be kids from every county taking to the studio floor to show their pride in the first ever Toy Show County Parade. Expect lots of twirling, swirling, and pagentry as Marshal Kielty tries to keep all 32 kids in line.

This year will also mark the fifth year of the Toy Show Appeal; an initiative that has so far raised an astonishing €21.3 million and has provided support to 302 different charities and given 492 grants.

This year will be especially poignant following the passing of Saoirse Ruane from Kiltullagh Co. Galway, who won the hearts of the nation with her appearance on The Late Late Toy Show, and first inspired the Appeal.

Saoirse's parents Roseanna and Ollie Ruane joined Patrick Kielty on The Late Late Show recently to pay special tribute to their daughter.

"The generosity of Irish people, to actually give to that, to the thousands of kids that are actually helped and the thousands of projects that stand to benefit," Patrick says of the Appeal.

"The fact that last week, Saoirse's folks came on and just bared their hearts and their souls and just showed people that even when you're in the depths of despair, you can still help somebody out. I think that, yes, toys are the Toy Show, but heart is at the heart of the Toy Show - and I think it always will be."

As for his message to the children of Ireland?

"Have a real good sleep at about 6pm," he instructs. "Try to set an alarm for about 9pm so you're fresh as a daisy. Then I would go with some chocolate or sweets just to really get yourself going for 9:30pm, just so whenever your parents think you're going to drift off to sleep at 10:30 and they can get stuck into some Sauvignon Blanc, you are still there going like a Duracell bunny. I want every kid to hang in there to the very end - to the point where they're outlasting their parents."

And his message for the parents? "Good luck".