text: Rory is sure that he will make a triumphant return
  Rory Cowan insists that Al Porter is set for a major comeback to the world of comedy and media due to his sheer talent.
  Cowan had big shoes to fill when he took over from the Tallaght man after he resigned from The Olympia panto shortly before Christmas.
  Now, the former Mrs. Brown's Boys star wants to work with Al, calling him a "lovely, sweet guy".
  Rory told The Social Media: "I would love to work with Al Porter, I think he is very talented and he is very good at what he does."
  After leaving his job on Today FM and the cancellation of his Blind Date show, it seemed that Al's career looked to be finished here in Ireland. However, Rory is sure that he will make a triumphant return despite the unfounded allegations made against him.
  "Of course he will [return], without a shadow of a doubt- he is too talented. He is still young and Irish people get over things, they don't hold grudges," he explained.
  Rory said that the public still support Al and this was proved when he made an appearance in the audience at the panto last year.
  Dustin and Fair City's Ryan Andrews, fellow panto stars, gave a shout out to Al who was hidden in at the back of one of the boxed in The Olympia. The audience gave him a rapturous applause that last many minutes.
  "Al came along when I was in the panto last year and nobody knew he was there.
  "Dustin was doing the shout outs and he wished him a happy birthday, then there was this huge cheer that got louder and louder. He stood up and the place went wild," Rory told us.
  It is widely rumoured that Blind Date will make a return to our screens as part of TV3's Autumn schedule later this year.
  It remains to be seen if the 25-year-old will reprise his role on the romance show.
  Lisa McHugh set for headline slot
  Superstars Lisa McHugh and Derek Ryan are joining forces to headline one of the biggest indoor events that country music has ever seen in Ireland.
  The duo will lace up their stetsons and stilettos and stick on their cowboy hats for the second "Farmer's Bash" in Belfast.
  Johnny Brady, Cliona Hagan and special guest Philomena Begley will also entertain the large crowd.
  'Cotton Eyed Joe' chart toppers Rednex will also jet in from Sweden to perform an exclusive set for fans.
  Mickey Joe to release new tune
  Mickey Joe Harte set pulses racing during his performance of "We've got the world tonight" at the Eurovision Song Contest in Riga back in 2003.
  But what is the You're a Star champion up to 15 years after taking to the stage in Latvia?
  The Donegal man told us: "I am just finished mixing the new single in Germany, the title is 'Fire in my heart'. It will be released this month, we just filmed the music video."
  Alannah Beirne (Image: Lifetime/PA Wire)
  Irish model Alannah Beirne is swapping her dancing shoes for flight socks as she jets across the world this summer.From the dancefloor to the skies, the Kildare beauty is heading to Hong Kong for four nights for Cathay Pacific's inaugural flight from Dublin to the Far East.Escaping the miserable Irish weather, she will also spend a month travelling around Australia with her brother and sister before taking city breaks in Lisbon, Madrid and New York.
  New role for Louis?
  Louis Walsh and Shane Lynch on Loose Women (Image: ITV)After his time on Popstars, You're a Star, The X Factor and Ireland's Got Talent, reality TV judge Louis Walsh is sashaying his way onto RuPaul's Drag Race.The Mayo man said that he instantly clicked with Michelle Visage and he wants to join her as a judge on the cult show."Yeah I would, I love it. I met Michelle at her Olympia gig [before IGT] and we just clicked," he told us.
  Air force Leo
  Donald Trump gets Air Force One, but the Irish Taoiseach gets third row with Aer Lingus.
  Leo Vardakar TD was all smiles as he took selfies with the cabin crew when we spotted him on a flight to Barcelona with the Irish airline.
  The Dublin man had no airs and graces as he queued with the rest of the passengers before taking a seat with a tasty glass of red wine.
  Johnny the family man
  When he's not making history on the pitch, Johnny Sexton is at home spending time with his kids Luca and Amy.
  Speaking at the launch of Super Troopers with Laya healthcare recently, the Ireland star, who is expecting his third child with wife Laura in August, said he's worked out a good work/life balance.
  Johnny told the Social Media: "I think I've got better at it. I went through a bad year with injuries and I had to improve some things like doing all the right things for my rugby and recovery, while also spending enough time with the kids and making it a good time, as opposed to thinking about what I could have been doing in training."
  Thalia for Xpose?
  Thalia Heffernan models for Cocoa Brown
  She may have moved country but Thalia Heffernan is keeping her finger in the Xpose pie.
  The Dublin model, who recently moved to Birmingham with her DWTS boyfriend Ryan McShane, was filming segments for the glamorous show this week in Nottingham.
  Could TV3 have Glenda Gilson's maternity cover sorted already?
  Angela loves a staycation
  New mum Angela Scanlon has been making the most of her maternity leave with a little trip around Ireland this week.
  The stunning redhead and her husband Roy Horgan welcomed their daughter Ruby back in March and now the trio have set off on their first family holiday.
  The London based broadcaster was spotted enjoying the sunshine in Cork and Tipperary this week.
  Una is a dancing queen
  Una Healy swapped her cowboy boots for stilettos this week to celebrate her husband Ben Foden's sporting achievements at a glitzy event.
  The Saturdays songstress donned a stunning ball gown for her other half's testimonial dinner in London.
  Una also performed at the event and was even joined on stage by Ben for a duet.
  Birthday celebrations are in order for Brian Dowling as he's set to turn 40.
  Although the Big Brother star's birthday isn't actually until June, the party kicked off a month early as in sunny LA this week.
  The Kildare star's best pal Pippa O'Connor even jetted over to California to join in the party.
  Famous faces turn our for Arnotts
  A host of famous faces stepped out this week to celebrate Arnotts' 175th birthday.
  Joe Duffy, Bobby Kerr, Alannah Beirne, Lorraine Keane and Aoife Walsh were among celebrities on the guestlist to mark the iconic Dublin department store's milestone.