RTE's Late Late Show confirms 'very special guest' for Friday night's show

This week's edition of the 'Late Late Show' will be dedicated to celebrating Michael D. Higgins' birthday. As the Irish President gets ready to turn 80 this Sunday, Ryan will sit down with him at Áras an Uachtaráin to discuss the President's hopes for Ireland's future.

President Michael D Higgins will join host Ryan Tubridy from Áras and Uachtaráin ahead of his 80th birthday on Sunday. Revealing the news on Twitter, the RTE chat show's official account wrote: “Next weekend marks @PresidentIRL Michael D Higgins’ 80th birthday and Ryan will be conducting a very special interview with him from Áras an Uachtaráin for Friday night’s #LateLate Show.”

Hollywood superstar, Kathy Bates, will also be joining Ryan. The Academy Award-winning actor from 'Misery' as well as 'Titanic', and 'PS I Love You', will tell how she is trying to perfect a Ballyfermot accent for her latest role in 'The Miracle Club' which she is due to film in Dublin alongside Maggie Smith and Laura Linney.

Ireland rugby captain Johnny Sexton will be chatting about his chances of making the Lions team, the return of Simon Zebo to Munster, and lending his support to DEBRA Ireland which was set up in 1988 by families living with the painful, genetic skin condition epidermolysis bullosa (EB).

Singer Imelda May and Niall McName will give an exclusive performance of 'Don’t Let Me Stand on My Own', from her new album '11 Past the Hour'.

Also, on Friday, The Late Late Show also hosts the debut TV performance of Crybaby, the new collaboration between Noel Hogan of The Cranberries and actress and singer Bronagh Gallagher.

The Late Late Show, RTÉ One, Friday, April 16th at 9.35pm