Arthur Gourounlian on Loraine Barry: 'I have so much respect for her and she gave it back to me'

Arthur Gourounlian’s journey to showbusiness has been anything but ordinary. He talks to Deirdre McArdle about how a challenging childhood inspired the joy and resilience at the centre of his first children’s book

Arthur Gourounlian. Photograph Moya Nolan

‘Bonjour, bonjour!”

Arthur Gourounlian bursts onto the phone call. There’s no other way to put it. A ball of positivity and energy, he greets me like a long-lost friend. It’s a refreshing positivity that doesn’t feel forced or manufactured.