The Irish Mirror reports that RTE will also pay a tribute to the Pogues singer, 61, with friends and family joining Shane in the studio to perform a number of  songs including Fairytale of New York.

Host Ryan Tubridy said on last week’s show: “What we Irish are very good at is making music, and next week it’s our privilege to pay tribute to one of the very best, Shane MacGowan, musician, songwriter and front-man of The Pogues.”

“Shane and a host of stars will take to the stage to perform Fairytale of New York, as well as many other gems.  In the lead up to Christmas on The Late Late Show, it promises to be a session like no other!”

Fingers crossed.