It’s the show that got everyone talking last year, so when I was approached by the Late Late to appear on their Valentine’s Special, I didn’t hesitate for a second. I knew it would get people talking – for good or for bad – and I knew it would be fun… I just didn’t realise HOW MUCH fun!
Myself and Aidan arrived in RTE at around 9.30 and were shown to the Green Room, just in time to see the walk-on by the audience to 'Love Is In The Air'. We were mesmerised. The movers! The shakers! The shtyle!
We were then asked if we’d like a drink – Aido went for a beer and I, having taken one look at the audience, declined in favour of water. I’d have a sneaky glass before going on but just the one. (Any doubts I had in making this decision were quashed once Deano dropped the F-bomb).
Mario was the first guest out, dressed as Daniel O’Donnell. Everyone in the Green Room howled as the camera panned in on the girl in the audience who was visibly horrified that it wasn’t actually wee Daniel but our Mario. When Mario came back into the Green Room, around 6 minutes after leaving the stage, that clip was up and doing the rounds on Twitter already – and he was loving it! He stayed and had the chats with us for around half an hour before heading home to watch the end of the show.
At this point, my nerves had set in and I needed a glass of wine. Aido spent the best part of an hour reassuring me that if I fell, swore or if my boob popped out (my worst nightmares) he’d still be with me. Pinky promise? Ok. I met Carl Kinsella and Elle Gordon who were also on the panel – two really lovely people in their 20s (I was the aul one on the Tinder panel). Carl works for Joe.ie and Tinders often, and Elle works as a journalist for the Independent and recently gave her phone to her Mam to swipe for her on Tinder.
We had our make-up checked (tis easy polish diamonds, smiley-face) and then it was TIME. Johnny Logan had just finished singing Hold Me Now (my favourite part of the show) and Amanda and Dean had just returned to the Green Room for a drink. Amanda is an absolute lady and Dean was…having lots of fun. Exotic fun, as he may have phrased it himself…
During the ad-break, we were shown to the couch and Ryan was really welcoming and lovely, and seeing how nervous I was, he was very calming. The segment itself is a bit of a blur – it flew by and apart from the Freudian slip while trying to say the word “successful” (perhaps that was that one glass of wine coming back to bite me!) it went really well. The audience were brilliant and were very engaging. I couldn’t wait to go back to the Green Room after and see Aidan – he was ready with a massive hug, kiss and glass of wine. My 3 favourite things! Suddenly, I could relax in between reading lovely texts and tweets (and some not so nice ones but there are always a few f*ckheads who get off on being mean online).
It was time to party. Bonnie Tyler was backstage after her performance and Aidan, who is normally really quiet, jumped up to ask for a photo with her (not before asking me, after a few Heinekens, “do I call her Mrs Tyler or Bonnie or what?!). We both got our photos with Johnny Logan because he’s Johnny Logan and he’s incredible!
We watched the rest of the show while having some wine and after, Ryan came in to say hi. I don’t actually know how he does this every week – I didn’t realise just HOW HUGE of an audience the Late Late has – my Twitter didn’t stop for hours. And it’s a mixed bag – everyone has an opinion, everyone has to voice exactly what they feel about you by looking at you and it’s not always nice. I don’t think I could be judged like that every week, I certainly don’t have the balls for that.
Fair play to Ryan though, he’s aware of it and he just moves with it. He has a great team of people around him, and we felt so well looked after – we were so impressed.
At around half 12 we left RTE a little bit drunk, but really happy. How could we not be? We got photos with Johnny Logan!
You can watch the full thing here!
