She's about to star in her first dramatic role. Mary Byrne tells Rowena Walsh how she's embracing her second life.

Whether it’s a passion for knitting or shamanism that reels them in, how public figures spend their free-time is revelatory of their inner psyches, writes Rita de Brún.

So that’s Wednesday nearly wrapped up. Here’s some of the stories we published on irishexaminer.com today which we hope will help you make sense of it all this evening.

Louis Walsh, who is currently on the judging panel of Ireland's Got Talent and whose wildcard Bary D'Arcy from Cork is competing in this weekend's semi-final, joined Ray D'Arcy on RTÉ Radio 1.

The button, comparable to the Golden buzzer on Britain's Got Talent, sends the contestants straight through to judges' houses, the final stage before the live shows.

Following BGT he recorded a few songs with a producer and was looking forward to starting work on his own album when he was diagnosed with MS.

Your morning headlines...

A cynical talent show made room for two talented people, both with life-defining disabilities, writes Fergus Finlay.

Although he didn't make it through to the final, he was classed as one of the judges favourtie acts of the night.

It took fellow judge, Amanda Holden to explain but we’re pretty sure he's still clueless.

The song debuted on RTÉ Radio One today, but in case you missed it, you can listen to it here in full.

Tonight an all-male Irish ballad group will take to the stage as a finalist in Germany’s largest talent show, Das Supertalent.

Richard Coles has become a priest since his days with Bronski Beat. But he was glad to return to the musical fold for an album of seasonal songs, writes Joe Nerssessian

Wicklow brothers Sean (17) and Conor (15) have gathered huge momentum following a very impressive X Factor audition.

Here's your lunchtime news bulletin.

Plane crash survivor Kechi Okwuchi received a standing ovation for her emotional audition on America’s Got Talent which airs this Tuesday night.

“A billion percent, YES,”

Increasingly Irish males are investing in cosmetic procedures, with Botox, nose jobs, eye lifts and breast tissue reduction topping the list, says Áilin Quinlan.

"The lie detector test results are in. Guess what sunshine."

The news comes after it emerged Simon Cowell has enlisted the help of the 25-year-old to write the X Factor winner's song.

I’m A Celebrity may be back, but Ed Power says the reality format is a much diminished force in the face of a resurgence of quality drama

With year round sunshine and average temperatures of 30 degrees, Barbados is always a good choice, says Nadia El Ferdaoussi.

The Cork-native has claimed that bosses are keen to see him axed, either him or Match of the Day host, Gary Lineker.

It’s all here and more, in today’s showbiz catch-up.

The Tallaght native took to her Instagram after the show was aired to thank her fans for their support.

I don’t aspire to be on most television programmes (except obviously, one with my name in the title and a giant wedge of money to present it), because I feel I’d be giving up too much of myself for too little return, writes Colm O’Regan. 

Keeping Ireland Alive: The Health Service in a Day airs on RTÉ One at 9.35pm on Monday.

Former British celebrity publicist Max Clifford “used his position of power” to “humiliate” a teenage girl into performing a sex act on him, a court was told.

Brexit referendum is fast approaching and as the hours tick away to the all important vote a number of high profile names have publically lent their support to a side of the debate.

As a promoter, Paul Charles has a reputation as one of the nice guys of the Irish music

They were formed like a boyband, but the Sugarhill Gang went on to define the dawn of hip hop, says Ed Power

PETER ANDRE has revealed he is to be a father again. The singer, 43, announced on Twitter that he is expecting his second child with wife EMILY MacDONAGH.

Here’s how to vote!

It’s all eyes on Kilkenny Presentation Secondary School choir this weekend as they audition for their place in this year’s Britain’s Got Talent.

“You look cute”

JAKE GYLLENHAAL has admitted to a long-time crush on one of Hollywood’s top actresses: JENNIFER ANISTON.

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Dermot O’Leary is returning “home” to The X Factor, a year after he left the ITV talent series.

Simon Cowell used to think his son hated him.