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The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Presidency bid, new Eurovision plans with twist and why I won't leave RTE… Dustin the Turkey spills all
FROM becoming Ireland's next President to taking over Joe Duffy's Liveline job, Dustin the Turkey is no chicken as he has revealed his ambitious plans for total domination. The beloved Irish puppet has been a TV legend for over three decades - and believes he deserves the top jobs "after all I've given Ireland". 5 Dustin the Turkey has revealed his plans to become President of Ireland Credit: Free for editorial use 5 The TV legend recently joined Chadwicks celebrations with Irish boxer Jack Marley Credit: PR handout 5 And he shared that he could take over Liveline and join Eurovision again while in Áras an Uachtaráin Despite being a puppet, Dustin has achieved a status only few in Irish entertainment can claim - becoming an iconic media personality known by generations. His career began in 1989 on the popular show The Den, and he went on to become, in his own words, the longest-serving turkey on RTE. The plucky personality told the Irish Sun: 'It's one of them where it's a pleasure to have entertained two generations, three generations growing up in Ireland - teaching them all of the building tricks that I have. 'It's all about giving a bit of humour and a bit of confidence, along with those two British lads who sold us out in Ireland - Zig and Zag but we won't mention them. 'They went off to Channel 4 and took the queen's shilling, leaving me on my own. 'But I stick to the people, I have more Wolfe Tone CDs than the Wolfe Tones - when they mention people like James Connolly and Padraig Pierce they'll mention Dustin Gertrude Hoffman Beethoven the third.' Being one of Ireland's most controversial satirical voices, Dustin has never been shy about taking the mick out of public figures like Bertie Ahern, And he said he makes sure to treat everyone fair in his remarks, as someone has to do it. Dustin, who is voiced by John Morrison, quipped: 'Now I won't mention Cat Deeley and I won't mention Patrick Kielty - but you have to be fair, I love all people. 'When you come on to The Den or if you come on to the radio with Dustin it's all just friendly fun. 'There's a couple of things we say like Ryan Tubridy who we call Mr Bean, or Alan Partridge or Pat Kenny who is like a plank of wood - but they're all true things.' 'POULTRY PARTY' And Dustin revealed there is still life in the old bird yet. The TV legend admitted that he might throw his wing into the ring again for the Irish During the 2010 Irish general election, he famously campaigned under the banner of the Poultry Party, advocating for policies like Bringing the Olympics to Termonfeckin. But this time, he said his presidential campaign promises would include learning the Irish language, bringing comedy to Áras an Uachtaráin and representing not just Ireland but also turkeys on a national level. Dustin said: 'I think it's a given; I know 'He does his Irish poems and I'm going to learn Irish for when I'm in Áras an Uachtaráin. "So when people come over from Azerbaijan and Columbia I'll be able to greet them as Gaelige. 'Áras an Uachtaráin is something I would certainly have my eyes on; I think I deserve it at this stage, after all I've given Ireland.' He also revealed ambitions to return to Eurovision, confident that he still has what it takes to entertain 'BEAUTIFUL VOICE' Dustin famously represented Ireland in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest with the song Irelande Douze Pointe, an entry that remains both memorable and controversial. And he said it's only a matter of time before RTE ask him to compete for Ireland again. The top turkey said: 'Now Dana went for president and she did the Eurovision, but the difference is she can't sing and she's not the president. 'Now I've got a beautiful voice, I think I could be the president and a Eurovision star at the same time. 'But I wouldn't represent Ireland next time; I would represent Turkey. 'You don't have to win it, I don't think anyone in Ireland will be winning in for a long long time - unless we can dig up Johnny Logan and let him go again, I don't think we have a good chance at winning it.' 'VERY SIMPLE JOB' What's more, Dustin said he may even take over And although he said Joe did it well, Dustin thinks he could do it even better. He added: 'It would just be brilliant, it's only a matter of time again. It's a very simple job; I'd love it, 'Go ahead caller, go ahead caller'. 'I'd be president, represent Eurovision and Liveline - considering Joe ruled himself out for presidency it has left the door open for me. 'I've survived a lot of Christmases at this stage, there's a lot of turkeys at RTE that have survived them too - so I'll be sticking around and won't be going anywhere.' Dustin spoke his mind as he joined celebrations at the newly refurbished Chadwicks store in Sallynoggin, And he said with his past as a builder on RTE's The Den, there was no better man for this role too. Speaking to the Irish Sun, Dustin said: 'I'm a builder, I just want to get in and get out - but I'm telling you it's the dog's b***ocks. 'It's just absolutely amazing, I've had three cups of coffee so I'm buzzing - and for a turkey let me tell you that is very dangerous. 'I've also had two pasties that were absolutely delicious - I went in and bought a hammer, a saw and a gazebo and I don't even need to use any of them. 'Sallynoggin is a place that's in my heart; I love it more than even the Long Mile Road.' First opened in 1974, the Chadwick's branch now features a sleek doors & floors showroom, a revamped bathroom showroom, and a Paint Centre, along with a new smart home centre packed with the latest automation and security tech. Other new features include VELUX and Keylite rooflight displays, a full Brick and External Wall Insulation showcase and a Brick & Brew Co. coffee outlet. 5 Dustin revealed that he has his eyes on Áras an Uachtaráin next Credit: Alamy 5 And he wants Joe Duffy's job - there's no turkey bones about it Credit: Andres Poveda LTD
RTÉ News
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Dustin the Turkey: "I will run to be president of Ireland"
Dustin the Turkey has said that he intends to run for the presidency of Ireland and has claimed that out-going President Michael D Higgins has endorsed him for the role. With former EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness confirmed as Fine Gael's candidate and Independent TD Catherine Connolly expected to launch her campaign tomorrow, the singer, tv host and occasional carpenter has said that he "owes it to the people of Ireland" to make a bid to become head of state. Speaking to RTÉ Entertainment, Dustin said, "Look, I'll be honest with you - I am willing to move to a smaller property, I will go to the Phoenix Park and I will embrace it. "I can do stupid poems in Irish like your man, Mickey D Higgins, and funny enough, Michael D said to me, `Dustin, you should go for it and I'll leave my wardrobe here at Áras an Uachtaráin because it is the exact same size, it will fit you', so I can just go straight up. "Now, he has bit more of a Ned Kelly then me but I'd be straight into Áras an Uachtaráin and you know, my First Lady, or Vogue Williams as she is known, would be great, too. "Sometimes you see her and you don't whether to snog her or throw her a bale of hay - with teeth like that, she looks like she won the Grand National last year." Dustin, who harboured presidential ambitions before when he ran in 1997, added, "The short answer is of course I will be running for the presidency, I am not ruling myself out because the people of Ireland have been good to me and I should be giving back to them. "I ran against Mary Robinson and she was a good president but she put a light in the window and left the door open and that's a dangerous thing to do on the north side. "Then we had Mary McAleese and then we nearly had a lad from Cavan, that's how bad this country was getting but Mickey D stepped in and I think he was a good president apart from the stupid poems as Gaeilge but he is a good honest man." Dustin was speaking as he opened the newly refurbished branch of hardware shop Chadwicks in his native Sallynoggin, deep in South Country Dublin. A chip off the old block, the famous turkey, who rose to fame as a host of RTÉ kids show The Den alongside Zig and Zag, said he decided to support his local DIY outlet because he wanted to give something back to neighourhood that made him who he is. "You hit the nail on the head there," he said. "The people of Sallynoggin raised me. It is one of those communities where you can leave your back door open. Now, you'll get robbed, but you can leave your back door open, they'll even rob the back door. "When Chadwicks told me they were refurbin', I put in a tender for it, right? But apparently, some Eastern European builders got it because they turn up in time and charge a fair price and come back if there's anything wrong." Another high profile position in Ireland waiting to be filled is the new host of Liveline following Joe Duffy's departure from the role last June, and Dustin is more than ready to take over. "Me and Joe get on well," he said. "Joe was the ringmaster of a circus full of clowns and I'd be able to continue that on Livelive. You get all the nuts and madsters coming on and you just say, "dear god, dear god, dear god . . . I don't know what to do' and you get a quarter a million a year. It's that simple."
Scottish Sun
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
‘The stuff of nightmares' mums cry over Scottish kids park that ‘terrifies' children – but it has ‘fab' soft play & cafe
The attraction has drummed up some fond nostalgic memories for other people TAKE S-CARE 'The stuff of nightmares' mums cry over Scottish kids park that 'terrifies' children – but it has 'fab' soft play & cafe Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A THEME park branded Scotland's answer to Disneyland has been delighting kids for generations. The Den and the Glen, based in Maryculter, Aberdeenshire, is advertised as 28 acres of 'magical make-believe fun' for kids and adults. 10 Shrek and his pals at The Den and the Glen in Aberdeenshire Credit: Donald Stewart - The Sun Glasgow 10 Online critics make cruel comments about the statues at the visitor attraction Credit: Donald Stewart - The Sun Glasgow 10 Some parents say their kids were 'creeped out' by the figurines Credit: Donald Stewart - The Sun Glasgow 10 The Den and the Glen has been dubbed Scotland's answer to Disneyland Credit: Donald Stewart - The Sun Glasgow It first opened as Storybook Glen in the 1980s and was a smash hit with youngsters. And recently the owners added a soft play, The Den. The park is packed full of homemade statues of beloved cartoons including The Simpsons, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Teletubbies, Postman Pat and Fireman Sam. Kids can also visit Snow White's House and see the seven dwarves, Cinderella or Little Miss Muffet as well as Shrek. But while parents have fond nostalgic memories of The Den and the Glen, they've recently joked it's "nightmare fuel" for children nowadays. Scots mum Emma went viral on TikTok after sharing a video about the Scottish attraction, racking up 80,000 views. Alongside her clip, she said: "Somewhere I remember being so magical as a nightmare material. "I enjoyed walking round it, it's not changed a bit from when I was a child. My three-year-old, however, said it was creepy." She added: "[But] there is a bigger soft play now and brill cafe." The huge indoor centre boasts an all-weather play den with a climbing wall tower, a four-lane astro slide, giant ball canyon and sports arena guaranteeing hours of fun for your little one. But the outdoor theme park has still divided opinion on social media after Emma's video, with some parents agreeing that it could give kids a scare. 'My kids never get bored,' parents gush after Scotland's best soft play revealed One claimed: "Storybook Glen gave me nightmare fuel for years!!" A second wrote: "Omg yes!! I took my kids a few years back and my youngest said that he was scared. I do not remember it looking so horrifying!" "Storybook glen the stuff of nightmares", chimed in a third. A fourth added: "It's legit a child's horror show, not how it use to be when I was a kid." Meanwhile a fifth admitted: "Haha! I remember it being brilliant but went last year and those figures were freaky!" Others, however, were full of praise for the visitor spot and insisted they'd love to "relive their childhood" by going along. "This brought back so many memories cannot believe it is still going", one person said. Someone else hailed it "The Doric Disneyland", while a third added: "Omg what a blast from the past!!!" 10 A version of the Teletubbies appears in the park Credit: Donald Stewart - The Sun Glasgow 10 Some have dubbed the statues, including The Simpsons, as 'nightmare fuel' Credit: Donald Stewart - The Sun Glasgow 10 Others say they have fond memories of the theme park Credit: Donald Stewart - The Sun Glasgow 10 The park is now known as The Den and the Glen after a soft play was added Credit: Donald Stewart - The Sun Glasgow A fourth cried: "Is storybook glen still going. I'm 44 this year and would love to relive the childhood I loved it." A fifth insisted: "The kid will have loved it. I remember the disappointment (the horror) when I went back years later and saw it for what it truly was - but was still special as a tot!" And a sixth said: "Still a great day out tho, can't complain too much." The owners of the park previously told the Scottish Sun they had no idea how much of a kicking they were taking online until a relative flagged it up to them. They described maintaining the park as like painting the Forth Bridge and that once you reach the end you have to go back to the start all over again. But they revealed they put a lot of care and attention into the park and taking care of the statues and were hurt by a lot of the comments. The Den and the Glen has been approached for further comment. 10 Visitors trek from across the UK to see the attractions at The Den and the Glen Credit: Donald Stewart - The Sun Glasgow
Daily Mirror
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Millwall smash transfer record with swoop for Middlesbrough striker Josh Coburn
Millwall have completed the permanent signing of Middlesbrough striker Josh Coburn for a club-record transfer fee after having 22-year-old on loan at The Den last season Millwall have broken their transfer record to sign Josh Coburn on a permanent basis in a deal which could reach as much as £5million inclusive of add-ons. Coburn, 22, spent last season on loan at The Den and, despite enduring a frustrating time with injuries, made a strong impression, scoring five goals in 20 Championship games. Millwall were always keen on bringing Coburn back permanently and Mirror Football understands the club have paid out big money to sign do so with the total amount of the deal well exceeding their previous outlay - £3.5m on Camiel Neghli in January - in a massive show of intent. The Lions tried to sign Coburn permanently last summer but eventually agreed a loan to bring the highly-rated frontman in for the season. And after talks over a permanent deal were broached in January, Coburn is now finally a full-time Millwall player. Millwall have already snapped up Max Crocombe on a permanent deal and an agreement for Zak Sturge, the Chelsea left-back who also spent time on loan at The Den last season, is advancing, though there are still some small details to be ironed out with the Blues. Alex Neil is eager to bolster his squad with more signings ahead of the new Championship season in a bid to finally break into the top-six. Central midfielders are a priority, while the club are also searching for a new goalkeeper to compete with Crocombe as Lukas Jensen, the Lions' No.1 keeper, is likely to miss a large chunk of the 2025-26 campaign as he recovers from an Achilles injury. Middlesbrough will hand the funds raised from Coburn's sale to their new head coach, Rob Edwards, in order to help him remould his playing squad. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
BBC News
20-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Gossip: Honeyman heading to Blackpool?
Blackpool are interested in signing Millwall midfielder George Honeyman, 30, who has made more than 100 Championship appearances for the Lions since arriving at The Den in 2022. (Blackpool Gazette), external Read Friday's full gossip column for more EFL transfer rumoursFollow the gossip column on BBC Sport
