Brendan: I’ve got ‘amber light’ for a new series
English says new role on RTE flagship ‘like coming home’
Brendan Courtney
EXCLUSIVE
TV star Brendan Courtney has hinted that his hit RTE series Keys To My Life could return to our screens next year.
The popular show could be set for another season after host Brendan said he’s already been given “the amber light”.
He told us: “I’m pretty sure it is.
“We got an amber light the other day there.
“Keys to my Life – I’m loving it. I feel so lucky.”
But the fashion designer revealed how it takes months for episodes to be completed.
Brendan said: “I get to spend five days with people and give them time to really tell us their stories.
“We travel with them… could be two months when they are available.
“It can take a long time, like we’re not even finished yet. We’re still going.”
Brendan previously revealed his secret that made him so popular with guests.
Speaking with Brian & Suzanne on 98FM, he explained how his last series was different from shows he’s done in the past.
Brendan told them: “The key to it is you just know it’s about them.
“You’re not even trying to be entertaining, you’re just trying to facilitate them telling their story.
“It’s funny because Tommy Tiernan always says, ‘I don’t do anything. I just talk’.
“I say, ‘I don’t’ do anything I just listen’.”
RACHAEL English has been announced as RTE Radio 1’s News at One presenter following Bryan Dobson’s retirement.
After 14 years as part of the team of Morning Ireland presenters, she will move to be a permanent presenter on RTE Radio 1’s flagship lunchtime radio programme with over 300,000 listeners each weekday.
Ms English said: “One of my first jobs in RTE was as a reporter on the News at One. I’ve always hoped I’d return. It feels like coming home.
“It’s been a privilege to present Morning Ireland and I’d like to thank the colleagues who have made getting up at 4am bearable.
“I’m looking forward to working with the fantastic team on the News at One.”
Deirdre Mccarthy, RTE managing director of news & current affairs said: “I am delighted Rachael will now be joining our flagship News at One programme.
“Recently inducted into the IMRO Radio Awards Hall of Fame, she is very familiar to our listeners.
“She will continue to bring her focus and integrity in this new role, representing the public interest on the programme.
“She is exceptional at asking the probing questions, the questions the listeners want answers to and holding those in power to account.
“Her extensive broadcast experience along with her measured tone, reassuring and calm delivery will ensure listeners will continue to tune in everyday.”
In 2013, Ms English heavily criticised some of her RTE colleagues who earned big bucks at the station – joking the public will probably never see her name on the top ten list of highest earners at RTE.
She told the Irish Mirror at the time: “There was no doubt some people were paid too much money but
I always say it was RTE who paid them – you can’t blame people for taking it.
“If someone had offered me that sort of money, what would I have said? It wouldn’t have been, ‘Ah no thanks, you’re alright’.
“Unfortunately I have never troubled the top 10 earners and I’m never likely to.
“Those figures have been published for a few years now and I remember the first time they were, the reaction from people outside was that it was just mad.
“And there’s no point in saying otherwise as in fairness the Director General has said the same thing.
“But it was RTE who paid the money, it wasn’t like the people involved were robbing a bank.
“In news there are fewer big salaries and newsrooms are more matter-of-fact places so it’s less of an issue than it might be in other areas.”
One of my first jobs in RTE was on News At One RACHAEL ENGLISH YESTERDAY
CONVICTED drug dealer Dean Thornton – who was jailed for his role in the kidnaping and torture of a man – has released a rap video seeming to boast about it.
Thornton was one of several involved in the horror abduction and gruesome violence against Aaron Rochford six years ago.
He launched his rap career as we exclusively revealed last month with a highly polished music video.
Now Thornton, who was one of the main players linked to the so-called anti-maguire side of the Drogheda feud, has released his second rap video called Monday Blues.
He raps “I cracked his face with a quick one-two, got drip on my feet, got blood on my shoe, straight to the fire, can’t leave no clues, great start to the week, got the Monday Blues.”
The 26-year-old, who has a number of previous convictions, also raps that he “put him in the bath, they put us on the news,” in an apparent reference to Rochford,
The 22-year-old was found by gardai in a state of shock, unclothed in a bathtub and covered in blood during the kidnapping and torture incident in a house in Moneymore, Drogheda, Co Louth.
The victim sustained a broken jaw and slash wounds to his upper torso and head.
On the day of the incident, November 11, 2018, Rochford is believed to have been driving a car containing gas cylinders destined for the home of associates of the anti-maguire faction.
He subsequently died in non-suspicious circumstances in 2019.
The new rap video, which was released on Wednesday on Dearfxch TV
The late Aaron Rochford was kidnapped via Youtube, has already racked up over 2.5k views within hours of its release.
Thornton also raps about putting Drogheda on the map “way before rap”, and how he tried to leave the country but was unable to as there was surveillance on him.
He also references murders in the town and houses being petrol bombed over drug debts.
He raps: “Gaffs burnt down for a couple of grams, murders in my town like Silence of the Lambs. Blood on my hands but I still won’t dance.” In 2021, Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Thornton to three years and said he had been involved in a “rather nasty and serious assault”.
He said every crime had a context but mob rule and mob law had no place in Drogheda or any other part of the country and Thornton should not have involved himself.