Big-hearted Late Late Show viewers dug deep and donated over €6 million to Irish charities since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has emerged.
The world's longest running chat show began on Friday night with an opening segment honouring emergency service workers on what was the final show of the season.
Ryan, who thanked Late Late Show viewers for their loyalty and for their charitable €6 million donations over recent weeks, said: "I want to thank the viewers of The Late Late Show, who stayed with us each week and supported charities, putting their hands in their pockets to help the neediest among us."
He added: "As we reach the end of this extraordinary season, I want to thank the frontline workers who came on the show in September with such grace and dignity and were acknowledged by the Irish public for their work.
"Fast forward a number of months and they did not let us down, they went on to serve the country in a way that we have never seen before.
"They have been amazing, as are their families who have had to sit by and watch the sacrifices being made on a daily basis.
"This season we lost Gay Byrne, such an iconic person in my life, professionally and personally.
"We also had to say goodbye to Marian Finucane and Larry Gogan - all true legends of Irish broadcasting. It has been an emotional, difficult, poignant, and joyful season overall."
