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DOIRTY DANCING
RTE fan favourite can keep plum host role on hit show without declaring lucrative side work due to contract loophole
There is suspicion she stepped down from the role due to RTE's new gifting policy
DOIREANN Garrihy can continue fronting Dancing With The Stars and NOT have to declare her lucrative side work for the station, we can reveal.
The 31-year-old dropped a bombshell on station bosses last week when she announced she was leaving 2fm’s breakfast show.
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The star said in a statement it is “time for ventures new”.
However, there was some speculation the decision was prompted by RTE’s new Register of Interest rules, under which presenters must seek permission to promote outside companies.
There were fears Doireann would deliver a double blow to station bosses by walking away from Dancing With The Stars, which she co-hosts with Jennifer Zamperelli.
But, when contacted by The Irish Sun, RTE have confirmed Doireann would NOT be required to declare her lucrative side work outside the station. They said this is because “some contractors only provide a small number of hours to RTE”.
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A industry insider told us: “Doireann can keep doing Dancing With The Stars because her contract each season is between 12 to 20 days.
She is one of those contractors only doing a short number of hours with RTE, so she won’t have to declare her outside work to the station.
“The contract Doireann has to present DWTS is with ShinAwil, the firm that makes it for RTE, so that makes her more removed from RTE scrutiny.”
Social media star Doireann has been a big success on the hit show since she joined in 2022, sparking a comedy chemistry with co-host Jennifer Zamperelli.
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And Doireann, who has a huge social media following, continues to be in demand as a master of ceremonies and makes personal appearances at charity and glitzy events nationwide. Last month, we revealed how some of RTE’s ‘talent’ are furious at having to reveal how much top brands are paying them.
Boss Kevin Bakhurst was forced to clamp down on side hustles after details emerged last year of Ryan Tubridy’s RTE-backed deal with Renault and Marty Morrissey’s free car.
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Under new rules, RTE employees and contractors are now required to declare gifts above a value of €50, with employees and contractors also required to fill out a separate form to declare any conflicts of interest.
It is believed the new rules are aimed at RTE staff and stars at 2fm.
Top names fear they could lose tens of thousands of euro in sponsorship fees over the new Register of Gifts.
Asked by The Irish Sun if stars fronting shows such as DWTS would have to declare outside earnings on the new Register of Interests, an RTE spokesman told us: “Requirements for staff and contractors may vary depending on their role and the number of hours worked for RTE.
“For contractors substantially employed by RTE and staff members in editorial or content production, RTE requests approval is sought for external activities to avoid a potential conflict of interest if the activity undertaken could be perceived to impact on RTE’s impartiality."
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