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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Entertainment
Katie Gallagher

RTE's Marty Whelan lifts lid on Winning Streak return hopes

Marty Whelan said he’s dying to get Winning Streak back in action - admitting it has been strange being ‘off the radar’ for two years.

But whilst the likes of the Late Late Show has returned back to normal amid restrictions lifting, with the return of their live studio audience and show specials - he said there are more complications involved with the Irish game show.

The Dubliner, 65, explained: “We have the RTE and the lotto.

“We are waiting for Winning Streak to come back and I would like to think that in time it will come back.

“And please god we will but we have RTE and the lottery, so two people there.

“We have to wait for them to say ‘that’s ok’ and away we go again.”

Winning Streak stopped production in 2020 when Coronavirus first hit Ireland, and intercounty was halted.

The popular presenter, who has hosted the long running game show for over a decade, alongside RTE Today presenter Sinead Kennedy, admitted he is just as hopeful as fans nationwide for its return.

“I mean we are two years off the radar. It is very strange,” he added.

In the meantime, the veteran Lyric FM and legendary Eurovision commentator is gearing up for the song contest, and the highly anticipated Eurosong, which will take place on Friday night’s Late Late Show.

Speaking on the red carpet as he stepped out for the world premiere of Gabriel Byrne’s Walking with Ghosts at the Gaiety Theatre on Tuesday night, he gushed over his excitement of getting back to business and his plans to travel to Turin in Italy to cover the show in May.

He said: “Oh yes, we were looking up restaurants only today.

“I’ll be part of the show on Friday with the lads so I’m really looking forward to that. Then Turin.”

Commenting on the decision to bring back the Eurosong contest, which will see six finalists go head to head in the hopes of being selected to represent Ireland this summer, he added: “It is time.”

“And it is great this year because we are going to have people this year voting from around the country, and people voting internationally and a jury here as well so we have three elements.

“We will have great fun,” he said.

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