The Late Late Toy Show delivered its trademark magic on Friday night, raising just over €3.5 million - and counting - for its annual charity appeal.

As of Saturday evening, the total raised so far had reached €3,500,370.

This year, viewers in Ireland and around the world followed the fun down the yellow brick road as Ryan Tubridy and the young stars of the show put an 'Ozsome' spin on "the most magical night of the year".

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"Welcome back to a full audience!" said the host to whoops from the crowd before welcoming everyone at home and further afield.

What followed was big on colour, bigger on heart and left many an adult in better shape than they had been at 9.35pm - mentally anyway.

The first toy tester was six-year-old Lucy Hoban from Co Galway, a future "singing vet" who began by demonstrating an ice cream maker and proved to be as chilled on live television as anything straight from the fridge.

Lucy even gave Taylor Swift a run for her money with a rendition of Shake It Off - a great choice on a night when nerves were nowhere to be found but surprises were in abundance.

Eight-year-old Dubliner Cealan Green met his Liverpool FC hero, Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, and left with gloves, a signed jersey and a trip to Anfield.

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Ten-year-old Saoibh Lonergan from Co Waterford, who is recovering from surgery, sang her own song, Raining Rainbows, before she was reunited with the friends she made while she was in hospital, Ellie Mae and Jack. There was another treat in store for the three amigos, as they will be going on a trip to Disneyland Paris.

Ten-year-old Catriona Kalogeraki from Dublin was saluted via video message by her Harry Potter hero Emma Watson, who praised the youngster for raising awareness of autism. Taking it all in her stride, Catriona's message of empowerment was magic worthy of Hogwarts.

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Budding comedian and women's football super fan Emmie O'Neill from Dublin celebrated her 12th birthday by showcasing her stand-up skills and then received a video message from one of her comedy favourites, Mrs Brown 'herself'.

But there was more to come as the Republic of Ireland Women's football team arrived in the studio - and Emmie was told she would be heading off to follow their World Cup adventures in Australia this summer.

By the close, more than 200 young performers and toy testers had proved that there's no place like home, with all the toys in-studio going to charities around the country.

"I hope you had a great Toy Show night," Ryan Tubridy said as the credits rolled. "And remember: it's all about kindness, joy, love and fun. Mind yourselves, mind each other."

Job done and then some, the countdown begins to Toy Show 2023.

Meanwhile, New Zealand actor Russell Crowe gave the Toy Show appeal a massive plug with a tweet, pointing out that donation lines were still open.

To donate to the Late Late Toy Show Appeal, visit: www.rte.ie/toy-show-appeal.