Setting his new TV crime series in Wexford gave Billy Roche a different dynamic to work with than the usual Dublin shows, writes Richard Fitzpatrick

After all the months hearing about them, reading about them and buying them, finally, over the last few days, we’re guessing you got round to actually reading some sports books.

When I hear somebody saying politics and sport should never mix I often wonder what planet they are dialling in from.

WHEN American wrestling comes to Waterford next week, it will be bringing all the colour and controversy that’s made the sport so hugely popular in the US. Mixing its typical pomp and razzmatazz, the event is advertised as “epic encounters inside the ring like nothing you have seen before”.

Justin Timberlake, Jessie J and Queens of the Stone Age are among the headline acts for this year’s iTunes Festival.

Singing hopefuls Cassius Henry, Toni Warne, Aleks Josh and David Julien have bowed out of BBC talent show 'The Voice'.

PARANOIA, they destroy ya (here it goes again). So sang the peerless Ray Davies of the Kinks in the 1980s.

Coldplay and Kylie Minogue were among a host of stars to perform at simultaneous charity shows in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia on Saturday, to benefit the victims of the recent bushfires and floods Down Under.

The Verve returned to America for the first time since their split a decade ago to perform at the Coachella Festival in California on Friday night - and frontman Richard Ashcroft told the faithful the band is back for good.

Prince has been added to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival line-up.

Eddie Vedder and Jack Johnson survived an "ill-fated canoe trip" convinced the other would make sure they wouldn't die.

Led Zeppelin will not be playing the 2008 Bonnaroo Arts and Music Festival, concert organisers announced today.

The reunited Led Zeppelin will headline the 2008 Bonnaroo Arts and Music Festival, organisers announced today.

The story of a GAA star's battle against his gambling addiction was today announced as a contender for a major book award.

Pop newcomer Lily Allen leads the nominations for the Brit Awards, which were announced tonight.

The Kaiser Chiefs and James Blunt triumphed at the Brit Awards last night.

James Blunt and the Kaiser Chiefs triumphed at the Brit Awards tonight.

The Brit Awards take place tonight with Westlife and U2 representing Irish interest in the glitzy event. They are among the acts nominated for awards on the biggest night in the British music calendar.

Former British Army captain James Blunt and Leeds rockers the Kaiser Chiefs have followed their explosion on to the music scene with five nominations each at the prestigious Brit Awards.

Michael Jackson is urging fans to pray for him, and says he has faith that he will be vindicated. But the focus may soon shift to one of the key issues in the case – details of past allegations against the singer.

At least eight people, including a three-year-old, were injured in the US when a toy store roof collapsed following a week of heavy snow and rain.