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EXCLUSIVE! Lucy Kennedy reveals she was lined up to host an Irish version of Big Brother

This would have been amazing!

Presenter Lucy Kennedy Virgin Media Television today announced its new season of programming with brand new major Irish drama ‘The Deceived’, new shows across factual and entertainment, and an Autumn of sport like never before. Pictures are strictly embargoed until Friday 28th August, 2020 at 6am
Pic: Brian McEvoy

Lucy Kennedy has revealed she was lined up to host an Irish version of Big Brother.

The TV presenter has admitted she was in talks to front an Irish version of the series a few years ago – but sadly the show was never produced.

Speaking to Goss.ie, the mother-of-three said hosting Living with Lucy (now Lodging with Lucy) is her “dream job” – but admitted she’s thought about other presenting gigs.

Lucy said: “I always fancied myself hosting Big Brother, and there was talk of it a few years ago…”

Lucy Kennedy pictured at The Gossies 2020 | Brian McEvoy

“I am the poor man’s Davina McCall,” she joked. “I don’t mind though, I love Davina. But there was talk of that, but I don’t think that’s gonna happen.”

“There was talk of an Irish Big Brother, with me at the helm. But that was a few years ago, like, before Ireland’s Got Talent.”

Lucy continued: “I’m kind of doing my dream job if I’m honest. As in, Lodging with Lucy and Living with Lucy is a travelling chat show, it is.”

“I get to sit down with people for much longer, in fact it’s the perfect chat show for me in that the guest is usually at home, or I’ve made them comfortable, it’s longer than 15 minutes, and they don’t have an audience staring at them.”

Lucy and Living with Lucy guest Gemma Collins

“So I am actually doing the job that I love the most… I would love to continue doing this.”

“But that said, you know I’m a freelance television presenter, so come November once this is over, what am I doing next? I don’t know. So I will be talking to Virgin Media and RTÉ to see what’s coming up.”

When asked if she would be hesitant to return to work for RTÉ after so many years working for Virgin Media, Lucy said: “Not at all.”

“Sure I was with RTÉ for ten years, I’ve been with Virgin Media for like seven. There’s basically two channels, and I don’t speak Irish, so I think the days of presenting for one should end.”

BRIAN MCEVOY

Lucy continued: “I know Simon Delaney has crossed over the two, I don’t see why I couldn’t either?”

“But I’m freelance so it’s up to channels to come up with ideas for me then. I love working and, like I said, I’ll take Christmas off, but then come January, it’s like what’s the next plan lads?”

Lucy admitted she’s glad her job with RadioNova gives her “stability”, but said: “I would love telly to give me the same stability.”

She added: “But I don’t want to do it Monday to Friday, so I am kind of a tricky one to place, but I’m sure the next gig is ready for me.”

Brian McEvoy

When asked if she would consider a show like Ireland AM, Lucy laughed: “No, I mean I struggle to put on a bra doing breakfast radio, so no. I would think about a studio show, I don’t know, I’m going to wait and see what’s offered.”

Speaking about the upcoming episode of Lodging with Lucy, which airs tonight on Virgin Media One at 9pm, the presenter said viewers are in for a “hysterical” episode.

This week, Lucy welcomes radio royalty to her guest house in the form of Ian Dempsey and Mario Rosenstock – who she described as “so funny and so genuine”.

Lucy said: “Their relationship is exactly how you’d want it to be. They really are good friends, and that comes across on the show, they’re not just work colleagues they have this lovely trust together, and Mario absolutely adores Ian, and likewise.”

Mario and Ian | Robbie Reynolds

“They laugh at each other, they laugh with each other, they’re a really solid unit, and it’s really nice to see. You know, sometimes you wonder, do they actually get on in real life? These two do. Absolutely.”

Lucy explained: “We hired a gin bar, I made the boys cocktails, and then we ended up having a disco. It was like a disco for three – it was hysterical, I did not want that weekend to end. Those boys stayed the night. They’re just brilliant.”

“One of my favourite impressions Mario does is his impression of Vincent Browne. And the next morning we were all a little bit worse for wear, Mario in particular, he looked like Vincent Browne.”

“He looked like his impersonation of Vincent Browne!” she laughed. “We were all so tired, because we did enjoy the disco, shall we say.”

Episode Two of ‘Lodging with Lucy’ airs on Virgin Media One tonight, Monday 5th October, at 9pm. 

On the latest episode of #GossChats, Goss.ie CEO Ali Ryan chats with top makeup artist and influencer Keilidh Cashell about her brand new makeup range, adjusting to life in the spotlight and how she’s kept calm during the pandemic.

#GossChats is sponsored by top Irish aesthetic clinic Haus of JeJuve.

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