Ryan Tubridy wants to invite homeless children onto the Toy Show

Ryan Tubridy has said that he wants to invite homeless children onto this year's Late Late Toy Show. 

The presenter said that he wants to include those who "might feel a little left out" due to their housing or living situations. Speaking at the Toy Show's open auditions in Cork yesterday, he said:

“I want to remember kids who are not living in a house. I think it’s really important that kids who don’t have a voice get heard and I feel I have a role in that. “I think it’s really important they know that whatever is happening in their world they are being thought of and hopefully the place will be kinder to them."

Tubridy said that RTE was looking into the possibility of including the children in this year's show, but that the broadcaster would need to be "mindful" of the kids' situations.

"Even if they were to appear on the show, for example, as homeless children we will have to be very mindful of where they are coming from to protect the family and their own circumstances. “This is something we will be looking into but we will have to protect their dignity."

The Late Late Show presenter said that his "heart breaks" when he watches reports of child homelessness and that he doesn't want these children to think they have been forgotten.

“What I am trying to do is make it a solution by saying ‘we hear you, we know you are there and we are going to fight for you’."

Child homelessness in Ireland passed the 3,000 mark for the first time this year. There has never been more children living in emergency accommodation across the country. Images via RTE.