ONLY €1 CRISPS DAMAGING CHILDREN’S TEETH By NICK McDERMOTT SALT and vinegar crisps are rotting children’s teeth, a new study warns. They were found to contain dangerously high levels of acid — upping the risk of harmful ero- sion by a third, researchers claim. A record number of kids are having gnashers removed. Friday, February 23, 2018 €1 (50p NI) www.thesun.ie Full Story — Page 25 PANTOPANTO WWARAR EXCLUSIVEEXCLUSIVE I PAID TWINK’S

By KEN SWEENEY, Showbiz Editor TWINK and Rory Cowan are at MORTGAGEwar — despite the former Mrs Brown’s Boys star having helped her to keep her plush home. Rory told how he coughed up €18,000 to spare the panto dame’s pad from repos- session in December 2016, but they fell out months later over her comedy clips TV show. Cowan now says he wants “nothing more to do with her”. Twink hit back: “Rory is a rat.” DEBDEBTS Saved . . our Ken at Twink’s swanky home Full Story — Pages 4, 5, 6 and 7 She rages: I’ll never spea k to ‘Rory the Rat’ SIXTH BID TO WE’RE PLUG FRAZER JUST By STEPHEN BREEN COPS have foiled an attempted hit on gangland target Michael Frazer. Members of the Garda Emergency Response Unit arrested two men, aged 34 and 38, last night at Tuesday, August 8, 2017 (50p NI) www.thesun.ie Continued on Page Six €1 €1 SEE PAGE 3 EXCLUSIEXCLUSIVEVE:: SON’SSON’S DJDJ TRIBUTTRIBUTEE

By KEN SWEENEY Showbiz Editor THE son of br oad- casting legend has opened up for the first time about the heartache of losing his dad. Rex Ryan, 27, told how the pair used to get together for a sip of whiskey and to watch war movies before the radio and TV giant’s shock death in 2010. Actor Rex revealed to the Irish Sun: “I was a kid who enjoyed hang- ing around with his dad more than his mates.” Angela’s Full Story — Pages 4&5 Strictly hopeful REX:

Murder rap . . . Molly Jason’s My dad ‘blood wants justice’ By MICHAEL HEWLETT JASON Corbett’s “blood speaks truth and screams for justice”, the jury in his US murder trial were told yesterday as prosecutors closed their case. His wife Molly Martens Gerry Pride . . . Corbett, 33, and her father Rex, left, Thomas Martens, 67, have and father denied the second-degree murder of the Limerick Gerry, right native in 2015. FIRST EVER FULL CHAT Full Story — Pages 6&7 4 ...... Tuesday, August 8, 2017 1RM 1RM Tuesday, August 8, 2017 ...... 5 REX: MY DAD GERRYGERRY RYAN’SRYAN’S SONSON ONON DEATHDEATH ANDAND ‘GREAT‘GREAT LIFE’LIFE’ OFOF IDOLIDOL

By Like father, like son . . . Rex, left, Life and KEN SWEENEY follows in Gerry’s Showbiz Editor footsteps with his new podcast times of GERRY Ryan’s eldest son has opened up about life chat DJ with and without one of the

greatest broadcasters this Picture: ROBERT DOYLE country has ever known. legend Rex Ryan was just 21 years GERRY Ryan became a old when his dad suffered a household name as a massive heart attack and died result of a TV and radio on April 30, 2010. career that spanned In a first in-depth public chat more than three decades. from any of the broadcaster’s family, Born in Dublin, Ryan the young actor recalls a “great life” studied law at University with a “great dad” who loved enjoy- ing a whiskey with his son as they College Dublin and sat together watching the movie Family ties . . . Gerry and his ex-wife Morah were hugely proud of their children Lottie, Rex, Bonnie, Elliott and Babette began working as an Saving Private Ryan. apprentice solicitor. He told the Irish Sun: “You always During his time at feel you want to tell someone you love college he kept his them one more time but if you had a interest in broadcasting great life with them, that’s irrelevant. alive by working part- It would have been a tragedy if I time in pirate and com- wasn’t talking to him when he died munity radio. but I got on so well with him. Having decided law “He was a great dad. We were always on the same page. wasn’t for him, Ryan “There was never anything forced started his broadcasting between us. I was a kid who career as a rock and enjoyed hanging around with my pop music DJ on pirate dad more than my mates. radio in Dublin, before “I am so grateful for the happy graduating to RTE Radio times we had and I am so proud of 2 to share a late night what he achieved with his limited You always want slot with time on earth. and . “There is that ridiculous word His obvious talent for ‘closure’. I don’t want closure. I talk radio landed him a don’t want to close anything. It hap- pened and I don’t think you ever slot on 2fm’s mid-morn- have a day where you think I am ing programme which cool with that. became known as The “It is always going to be what it Gerry Ryan Show, a slot was. The best way you can honour he held until his death someone who has died is to live 20 years later. your life with vigour and love. His presenting style “Dad wouldn’t want me to sulk. was considered by many He would want me to go out and to be that of a shock- embrace life like he did. I think my jock, and his show was whole family embraced that.” to say ‘I love you’ subject to several com- It was never difficult growing up the son of the country’s most fam- plaints to the Broad- ous radio DJ. casting Commission of Rex, 27, explained: “I think every- Ireland for his discus- one has different issues or problems sion of topics which whether their parents were public often included sex, bod- figures or not. ily functions and food. “ Ye s it was great he was success- As well as dominating ful but I always felt lucky because I Irish radio, Gerry got along with my dad.” boasted an impressive Gerry, held up as an inspiration TV presence, hosting by the BBC’s top earner , was the voice of 2fm and shows such as Secrets, also helmed TV shows including Gerry Ryan Tonight, one last time..but Tribute . . . Rex with sister Ryantown, Gerry Ryan’s Ryan Confidential and Operation Transformation. Lottie and dad’s pal Dave Hitlist, Ryan Confiden- He also fulfilled a lifelong dream tial and the first three when he sat in for old pal Pat series of Operation Kenny to present the Late Late Transformation. Show in October 2008. He married Morah Rex was in his final year in coll- I’m so At the Brennan in 1988 and ege when his dad was found dead they had five children at his home on Leeson Street in funeral, I together, Lottie, Rex, Dublin, where he was living follow- grateful for ing his split from wife Morah. Bonnie, Elliott and Gerry was just 53. The funeral — the happy went into Babette. Gerry and which was broadcast live on 2fm 16 Morah split in March years to the day since he presented times we survival 2008, something he Eurovision 1994 — was attended by I’m so proud of all described as “the most international stars and Colin mode painful thing I’ve ever Farrell, and 10,000 people signed the shared done” in a newspaper book of condolences. interview that year. Speaking for the first time about He soon began seeing the day he died, Rex said: “That former South African whole day is a blur. I was at home, Ambassador to Ireland, the information was trickling through from loads of sources. . “When you hear that, your brain Gerry Ryan was found just doesn’t compute. It doesn’t dead after suffering make sense. Then after a while it cardiac arrhythmia at sinks in. his home on Leeson “Then the process of thinking Street in Dublin on April about what has happened begins. that he achieved 30, 2010. It’s no different to what anyone else Tributes immediately goes through when they lose some- poured in for the RTE one out of nowhere.” legend, with messages But with Gerry being such a ation to concentrate on the small then getting inside the head of morph into our dads and mums. able to just spew out what I was it in my head. I suppose showbiz the 1930s. His response to the news from the likes of Bono, loved national figure, the grieving and immediate things. well-known actors and personalities. I’m very happy with that.” feeling but I thought if I was honest and communications is the family was pure Gerry: “The Germans Ryan family had to share their last “That way you don’t get over- Rex is such a natural that listeners Rex admits he is blown away by people would connect with it.” business.” always had useless spies. I’ll try not former Taoiseach Bertie goodbye with the public as the whelmed and I didn’t get over- can be in no doubt they are listen- the reaction to his podcast which Asked if he wanted to bring his Although born the son of one of to follow in his footsteps.” Ahern and former Presi- funeral was a major media event. whelmed. That was a good lesson.” ing to the son of Gerry Ryan. first went up on iTunes last month. hit podcast to broadcasters such as the country’s biggest media stars, Son Rex recalls his dad’s delight dent Mary McAleese as Rex explained: “Anyone who has Rex has his dad’s talent for talk, He said: “I didn’t study my dad’s He said: “It came out of me rec- RTE Radio One or , Rex Rex is as far from being a spoiled at the connection. He said: “Dad well as staff and friends to deal with a funeral knows your which he says comes naturally to radio show or anything like that. ommending things I loved to replied: “I haven’t sent it to anybody brat as possible. was like a child with that news. I at RTE. body goes into survival mode. You him. Known as a rising stage star, This is a natural thing. friends, and those friends told me I yet. I just wanted to let the podcast Modest, quiet and with impecca- can remember him saying, ‘you are are floating through everything. he has quietly entered the world of “But I suppose dad’s sensibilities should try doing this on a podcast. build up so if I did decide to ble manners, he oftens listens more never going to believe this’. You’re thinking ‘Okay, what can I talk with his own podcasts. are ingrained into me. He loved the That made me curious. I wondered approach someone I would have a than he talks. “He later found a gold pocket do here? Let’s Have Rex features the Clon- performance and I’m definitely would people connect with it. portfolio of interviews.” In 2009 this journalist told history watch in that house with a swastika “You know you have to be respon- tarf man going off on flights of influenced by all that. “It was so differ- But would being the son of Gerry fanatic Gerry the house he was liv- on the back interwoven with an sible, and not freak out, and do fancy, breaking into impressions, “I suppose the great tragedy, or ent to acting, in Ryan help or hinder his chances of ing in on Upper Leeson Street had Olympic ring. He loved the histori- everything that is required of you. raving about things he loves and the great miracle is that we all terms of being getting a job? been the home of the head of the cal connection.” “I had to get up and make a Rex admitted: “Probably a bit of Nazi Party in Ireland Dr Adolf @KenSweeney speech to honour him. I would tell both. I don’t give it too much Mahr who was also director of the TOMORROW anyone getting stressed in that situ- CHECK OUT THE LET’S HAVE REX PODCAST thought so as not to over-complicate National Museum of Ireland during Neil Cotter on Gerry Loss — See Page 11 Shouldering the burden . . . brave Rex helped to carry his father’s coffin Dad’s plot to hide my NOW ON BOTH iTUNES AND SOUNDCLOUD school suspension ONLY €1

Thursday, March 15, 2018 €1 (50p NI) www.thesun.ie

Thursday, March 15, 2018 CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2018

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EXCLUSIVE by KEN SWEENEY DEIRDRE O’Kane has said the judges Failed bid . . McDonald on Dancing With The Stars are tougher on the women with their scoring. She said “it’s plain to see” the men get an easier time. On-run But judge Brian Redmond, left, said: “She just doesn’t bring as much as the rest.” lag left O’KANE Full Story — Page Nine ice trail EXCLUSIVE by STEPHEN BREEN A HITMAN’S jail escape was foiled when his tr ail was spotted in the Beast from the East snow. Christopher McDonald, 35, who killed innocent Keith Walker in a bun- gled hit on crim Jason O’Connor, slipped his SEXISEXISMSM FURYVoting row . . . cuffs after being hospital- ised with ‘chest pains’. Deirdre says she But he was then caught ‘Men get easier time’ from show panel gets a tough time hiding on a shed roof. Full Story — Page 11 1RM Thursday, March 15, 2018 ...... 9 Deaf Rog plugs call THE Who frontman Roger Daltrey has revealed he is “very, very deaf” after years of gi gs. 6 The star has urged fans I AM SICK OF IT...THE to wear earplugs to con- certs after more than 50 years on the road. At a solo show at the Hard Rock Resort in Las Vegas, Daltrey said: “I advise you all — a ll you rock ‘n’ roll fans — take your f***ing earplugs to the gigs. JUDGES ARE TOUGHER “If only we had known when we were young.” NIGHT ON REPTILES Inspectors found boa constrictors and iguanas stuffed in bottles of mez- cal booze set for market ON ALL THE WOMEN7 in Oaxaca, Mexico. O’Kane slams DWTS scores EXCLUSIVE by KEN SWEENEY Showbiz Editor DANCING With The Stars has become embroiled in a sexism row after Deirdre O’Kane accused the judges of favouring men. The comedian, who ended up with the lowest score of 23 last Sunday, spoke of her upset Angry . . . over the markings which could have cost her a place in Deirdre the finals. challenged But a surge in public votes saw judge Brian, her escape the dance-off, with Rob Heffernan exiting the com- below, petition instead. backstage Speaking to the Irish Sun, mum-of-two Deirdre said the women are constantly achieving lower scores than the men on the hit show. She raged: “I set a personal best but we can’t control the judges’ scores. I am sick of it (low scores). But thank God the public got behind me, because it would have been a horrible ending if I had gone last Sunday night.” The stand-up added: “The judges are not just tougher with me. They are tougher with all the women with- out a shadow of a doubt. “The men get an easier time on Dancing With the Stars and that’s plain to see. I’m not asking for better scores for being a woman. I’m asking for better scores on the standard of my dancing.” Deirdre even challenged judge Brian Redmond backstage over the low score of seven he gave her foxtrot. She said: “I said to Brian. I don’t think I deserved that seven, and he said, ‘I don’t care.’” The 49-year-old was also raging she was later the first of the five celebrity dancers the judges called to leave the floor during the swing-a-thon. However, Brian defended the deci- sion. He told the Irish Sun: “We called Deirdre to leave the floor first because she lacked energy. “In her favour, she is not as young as some of the other competitors but she brings a huge amount of determ- ination. She is fabulous at what she does but she just doesn’t bring as much as the rest of them.” Dance coach Brian, who runs his own school in Newbridge, Co Kildare, also defended the poor scores she received from the panel. He said: “Deirdre doesn’t get big scores simply because in our eyes, she isn’t as good as the rest of them. “It’s very hard to make these deci- sions on scores. As judges we don’t have the hassle of practicing five days a week but we do have the hassle of making tough decisions which people sometimes don’t like.” 6She doesn’t Drogheda woman Deirdre has been hailed for making the biggest get big scores transformation over the past few weeks from novice to confident simply because, mover. She was rehearsing for the RTE show as well in our eyes, she as organising a massive isn’t as good as comedy fundraiser gig for the 3Arena which takes the rest...7 place on St Patrick’s Night. BRIAN REDMOND