Ronan will join “The One Show” presenter Christine Bleakley and BBC News reader George Alagiah as a presenter for the BBC’s “My Story” true life competition.

Each of them will front one episode of the five-week show, with two more celebrities to be confirmed. Fifteen entrants’ true life stories will feature in the series, to be judged by a literary panel. Five will have their stories, written with the aid of a ghost-writer, published by HarperCollins imprint HarperTrue.

The BBC1 show begins in early 2010, with entrants submitted via the My Story website or by post. The deadline for applicants is 16th December.

Stephen’s family, friends and fans will gather in London tonight for a memorial concert in his honour.

The event will take place at the Palace Theatre and will be attended by some 1,000 friends, family and fans the concert has been organised by Stephen’s partner Andrew. Stephen’s parents Martin and Margaret and siblings Michelle, Mark, Alan and Tony are expected to be there along with the rest of the boyz.

The evening will be hosted by actor and entertainer Christopher Biggins and will feature singers including Beverly Knight, Liz McClarnon, Lee Ryan and Chesney Hawkes, along with the cast of West End musical Joseph, in which Stephen starred. Actor Sir Ian McKellen will read a poem.

Tributes are also expected from Cherie Blair, and comedians Paul O’Grady, Matt Lucas, Graham Norton and Alan Carr.

Ronan hosted his 4th Emerald’s and Ivy fundraising Ball in London for the Marie Keating Foundation in Association with Cancer Research UK on Saturday night. The star studded event was attended by Shane from Westlife, Gary Bariow, Alan Shearer, Natasha Kaplinsky, Scott Mills, Jennifer Ellison, Jodie Kidd, Shay Given, Hayley Westenra, Matt Dawson and of course Keith, Shane and Mikey.

The evenings entertainment included live performances from Diversity, Escala and Ronan himself who took to the stage with Hayley Westenra and Gary Barlow. Guests then danced the night away to Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills. The ball raised over a staggering £640,000 for Cancer Research UK beating last years total.

Ronan said:

“I just can’t believe it, once again we have beaten last years total and raised so much money for such an important cause. Its simply amazing.”

The boyz will join Ronan on Saturday for his annual Emmerald’s & Ivy Ball in aid of Cancer Research UK.

BRITAIN’S Got Talent winners Diversity are the first act to be announced to perform at the event, the eleven-strong dance troupe from Essex will perform in front of a star-studded audience at the event, which takes place at Battersea Evolution, to help Cancer Research UK beat cancer.

Read the rest of this entry »

Coronation Street are delighted to confirm that Irish charmer Ciaran McCarthy played by Boyzone’s Keith Duffy is to return to the show in early 2010.

Keith starts filming his first scenes next week and will be back on screen in early February.

Corrie viewers last saw Keith on the Street in 2005 – when Ciaran was arrested and charged with going AWOL from the Navy.

Ciaran will return to the street to help old Navy pal Peter Barlow, played by Chris Gascoyne, set up his new wine bar with girlfriend Leanne Battersby, Jane Danson

Ciaran will soon be back to his womanising ways when he spots sexy Michelle Connor, played by former Hearsay band member Kym Marsh. And it isn’t long before he’s back pulling pints at the Rovers.

A Coronation Street spokesperson said:

We are thrilled to have Keith back in Coronation Street. He was a hugely popular member of cast and Ciaran McCarthy was a firm favourite with the viewers.

Keith has kept in touch with all his mates here during the past five years and many of the cast went along to the Boyzone gigs at the MEN Arena to support Keith and the rest of the band.

Ciaran has lots of history with the residents of Weatherfield and it will be interesting to see him back wooing the ladies, pulling pints behind the bar of the Rovers and helping Peter build the new bar.

For more information on Coronation Street go to www.itv.com/corrie