Laghey musician ‘over the moon’ for Late Late Toy Show appearance

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Laghey musician ‘over the moon’ for Late Late Toy Show appearance

A proud Laghey mother told Donegal Live of her excitement as her son prepares to be part of the national Christmas tradition of RTÉ’s The Late Late Toy Show.

Ollie Glendinning, 12, is an accomplished musician and finished third in this year’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann when representing Mín na Croise CCÉ, and his mother, Colette McAree, said he was “over the moon” to be selected to be part of one of Irish television’s biggest shows, which will be broadcast on Friday, December 5.

“I am not allowed to say what the name of the piece is, but he is playing the tin whistle as part of a group that RTE has formed around the country,” informed Colette, on what will be a big day not only for Ollie, but also for his grandparents.

“His family was totally excited and over the moon as they heard the news. Every so often, he would say, ‘I can not believe I am going to be on the Toy Show.’

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“It has been Ollie’s dream to be on the Toy Show. Ollie has watched the Toy Show every year and has said ‘I wish I was on the other side of that screen.’ He has even clapped along with the audience as if he were there. He also said he couldn’t wait to meet Patrick Kielty and the team at RTE.

“I just think it is the fact that he is going to be on TV as the most exciting part for him, and to add to the fact, my parents won tickets to the show, which makes it even better.

“RTE were doing a competition. On Friday, November 21, they emailed their details, and my mum was contacted. I think it was The Today Show that she got a call from.

Ollie is so excited as well. It was only recently that he could broadcast it. It was very exciting at his school. He really gets more out of it, telling his own friends more than anyone else.

When asked how Ollie was chosen to be one of the lucky few children to join the stage with Patrick Kielty, Colette commented: “Initially, a video was sent in of him playing, and a little bit about himself and his achievements. I think, from over 4,000 videos that went in, they shortlisted 60 of the videos for the audition, and then he was selected from those 60.

“I got a phone call at Halloween to say that he was successful at getting on the show. He was over the moon and so excited. I can not believe it, to be honest, but after the audition, he came out quite confident that he did really well.

“We have been travelling to Dublin for rehearsals for three weeks, putting all the kids together with the producers of the Toy Show.”

Proud Colette said she would be watching Ollie perform in the RTÉ studio’s green room. She said: “I will be very excited. I suppose over the last couple of weeks, we have been meeting the other parents. It will be lovely to join in with the excitement of the other parents involved.

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