At long last, we know just what exactly the theme is for this year's Late Late Toy Show, and we reckon you will be happy with it.

It's... The Little Mermaid!

Speaking of this year's theme, Ryan Tubridy said: "This is going to be really special. I have wanted to do The Little Mermaid for the Toy Show for years and, at last, my ship has come in! I can honestly say that it is like nothing you have ever seen on the show before and I think people are really going to enjoy it. There’s something in it for absolutely everyone in the family. My costume is a sight to behold but I am loving everything about this year's opening. I invite everyone to forget about the flotsam and jetsam of modern life, come where the people are and be part of our world for a couple of hours tonight. It’s going to be great fun."

We got some more details from the man himself as well as a sneak preview of the set. Watch below:

This year’s Late Late Toy Show boasts a huge cast with more than 200 talented young performers and 28 charming toy testers taking part. The children come from all over Ireland with the youngest just four-years-old. As always, Ryan and the Late Late Toy Show elves have a few surprises up their sleeves and all will be revealed as the show goes on.

The Late Late Toy Show producer Nigel Power said: "We're really excited to share this year's Late Late Toy Show with everyone. We've created a truly magical world with a magnificent set and an opening filled with colour. The show is packed with toys, talent and surprises that make the Toy Show an unmissable night for kids and adults alike."

The nautically themed set has been created by RTÉ production designers Marcella Power and Catherine Sorg.

The RTÉ Costume and Make-up Departments were all aboard with this year’s theme and have been travelling at full-steam over the past weeks leaving no octopus tentacle unattached and no fin un-ironed as they ready the cast for Friday’s extravaganza.

Head of RTÉ’s Costume Department Brigette Horan said: "We were really excited when we heard that the theme for this year’s show was The Little Mermaid – it opened up a whole world of possibilities for us creatively. It has been a delight to work on and we hope people like what they see, especially Ryan’s costume."

As with every Late Late Toy Show, a number of charities have nominated children to experience the magic of the set for themselves in advance of tonight’s show. This year children from LauraLynn Children's Hospice, The Jack and Jill Children's Foundation, Temple Street Children's University Hospital, Our Lady's Children Hospital, Crumlin, and Barnados will get a sneak preview of the set and get to play with the toys. Their visit will be captured onscreen and will be aired during the show. All toys featured on the show will be donated to charity following the broadcast.

Catch The Late Late Toy Show tonight on RTÉ One at 9.35pm and don't forget to follow the merriment on entertainment.ie's live blog here. 

Photos via Andres Poveda Photography/RTÉ.