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BY MICHELLE CREAN

It’s probably one of the most watched TV programmes of the year – and one local boy is set to appear tonight (Friday) - on the Late Late Toy Show.

11-year-old Micheal O’Brien, who is visually impaired, is excited that he will be part of a seven minute book review segment on the hit RTE One show.

The youngster, son of Michael and Noreen from Woodside, has dreamed of being on the show since he was in Junior Infants – and said this week that “it’s a dream come true”.

He told the Killarney Advertiser that he isn’t nervous but “was gobsmacked” when he got the call asking him to appear alongside presenter Ryan Tubridy.

Staff at St Oliver’s School, where Michael is a fourth class pupil, applied for the youngster to take part in what is the biggest Irish television show of the year.

Michael, with the help of teacher Shirley McGough and Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Olive Horgan, sent a letter with Ryan’s favourite Jelly Babies sweets inside.

Then they sent a video of Michael, and after an interview in Dublin recently, Michael got the call every child dreams of.

“I was gobsmacked,” Michael told the Killarney Advertiser.

“I had put sweets in the letter – but it wasn’t a bribe. I won’t be nervous. My outfit is top secret and it’ll put Ryan Tubridy to shame!”

Michael read a number of popular books through braille – but they won’t be revealed until tonight’s show. Tune in to the show tonight at 9.35pm on RTE One.

TOY SHOW: 11 year-old Michael O’Brien, a pupil at St Oliver’s National School Killarney, will take part in tonight’s (Friday) Late Late Toy Show. Michael is pictured with Rory Darcy (Principal), teachers Ciara O’Sullivan and Shirley McGough, Olive Horgan (SNA) and his classmates.