It’s the greatest show on earth
There’s one for everyone in the audience as Ryan’s Toy Show has inclusivity as the theme of the night
HE REALLY was ‘The Greatest Showman’, and ringmaster Ryan Tubridy certainly packed a punch for his 10th ‘Toy Show’ last night.
However, it comes as no surprise that it was some very special guests who stole the show.
Athlone schoolboy Scott Lowe (8) was told he was a real-life hero by Irish rugby stars Tadhg Furlong, Rob Kearney and Sean O’Brien after donating bone marrow to his little cousin Grace Lowe last year.
Scott and Grace (6) were surprise guests, with the show ferrying them from their home in Annagh, Athlone, to RTÉ studios where their unsuspecting mothers – sisters Bernie and Arlene Lowe – were sitting in the audience.
Brave Scott – who was a little overwhelmed by the attention – was asked by host Ryan why he decided to give bone marrow to Grace, who had leukaemia. “I wanted to save her life,” he replied.
“People call us heroes on the rugby field, but you’re the real hero,” Rob Kearney told the young boy to a round of applause.
The players invited Scott and Grace as their special guests to Ireland’s Six Nations match against France next year.
Ryan then told viewers that Sunway Holidays were flying Jack, Grace and their entire families to Universal Studios in Orlando.
Another highlight was with Michael O’Brien (11), from Kerry, who got the surprise of his life when hurling legend Davy Fitz came to meet him.
The star-struck GAA fan, who is blind, was lost for words when he found out that his hero was sitting right next to him.
Asking what gives him so much passion, Davy replied: “Michael, like you I’m a fighter which is very important to me.”
And if that wasn’t enough, Michael was handed a jersey along with All Ireland Final tickets for 2019. He had the audience in stitches when he wondered how the GAA could give out All-Ireland tickets when the championship has yet to begin.
The show will go down as one of the most memorable in recent years, with a brave Tubridy channelling his inner Hugh Jackman, singing ‘The Greatest Showman’ at the start of the show.
Other memorable moments include a lively rendition of ‘Baby Shark’, a little girl smashing eggs over Tubridy’s head, and a fondness for unicorns.
Last night’s show included 200 young performers, with viewers treated to a live performance of everything from Abba to more traditional fare.