Fair City star praises Al Porter for turning life around and 'ploughing forward'
Fair City actor Ryan Andrews has praised comedian Al Porter for turning his life around and "ploughing forward" in his career.
He has worked with his fellow Dubliner for more than eight years, co-writing the Olympia panto with Stuart O'Connor.
Last week, Porter shared his unbelievable transformation over the past four years after ditching the booze and drugs.
Ryan, 32, said: "Al is absolutely brilliant. What he is doing with his career now, he is so talented.
"He is the most talented, funny, charismatic person I've ever met. He's better now than he has ever been."
In 2017, Porter's world came crashing down after he was accused of sexual assault and inappropriate behaviour by a number of men.
He disappeared from the spotlight for a number of years before resurfacing in 2022.
Last week, Porter, 32, posted on social media: "Wow! This pic came up as a memory.
"It reminds me how far you can come with love and support and time and a lot of effort in the right direction.
"Here, in 2019, I'm burying my head in the sand, trying to smile, but drinking myself into oblivion, trying to numb lifeand reality with drink, Xanax, weed, anything.
"I didn't want to accept my life or really be in it. I'd let so many people down and didn't know what to do.
"The next pic over is a couple of weeks ago finishing Hell & Back for Cystic Fibrosis.
"It's a real smile. Four years sober, even longer of counselling, and years of what my friend in restorative practice calls accountability in a supportive environment – not hiding from reality of your mistakes, but getting support to change, be better and to see a future for a different you, opportunities to make a positive life and contribution to society again."
He added: "I am very blessed to have had so much love and sometimes tough love in my life, that gave me a reason to do the work on myself; to change drastically and turn things around and I'm not finished yet. I am very grateful for the people that saw a future for flawed person who had made mistakes when I thought there was none.
"There is always a chance to better yourself and better days ahead if you change things – it's not easy but it's worth it." Speaking about Porter's journey, Ryan said: "I've seen him on stage in Vicar Street and his local show and even when he came back to the panto after eight years.
"The Al eight years ago to the Al now is like… he was so… the audience erupted.
"Everyone knows everyone is on their own journey, like us all.
"I was proud of him for how he turned it around and how he is still turning it around and ploughing forward."
Barnardos ambassador Ryan was speaking as he took part in a 12-hour Riverdanceathon at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin to help raise money for the children's charity.
Over 580 dancers from dance schools across Ireland took part in the Riverdanceathon. Members of the Riverdance cast also joined in to start the event just before 10am on Thursday and again at lunchtime to perform three numbers from the show on the Gaiety Plaza as well as bringing it all to an end that evening.
Through this partnership Riverdance hopes to raise funds and awareness for the work of Barnardos. Each year for its summer run at the Gaiety, Riverdance partners with a charity.
Barnardos is Ireland's largest children's charity which helps and supports the most vulnerable children and families in society to achieve their full potential with the support of the public.
To donate, log onto www.idonate.ie/event/Riverdanceathon
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