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.

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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

World leaders convened at FAO Headquarters for the World Summit on Food Security yesterday unanimously adopted a declaration pledging renewed commitment to eradicate hunger from the face of the earth sustainably and at the earliest date.

Countries also agreed to work to reverse the decline in domestic and international funding for agriculture and promote new investment in the sector, to improve governance of global food issues in partnership with relevant stakeholders from the public and private sector, and to proactively face the challenges of climate change to food security.

Our very own Ronan is a UN Goodwill Ambassador and believes strongly in supporting this type of initiative. It would be interesting to hear your views on this.

You can find out more about the FAO here

Ronan was in Dusseldorf on Saturday for the annual UNESCO International Charity Gala For Children In Need. As well as performing an exclusive acoustic set he was also presented with a special humanitarian award for his charity work with the Marie Keating Foundation. The award was presented to him by Ambassador Dr. h.c. Ute-Henriette Ohoven from UNESCO.

On Sunday Ronan was at the O2 in Dublin to watch Yusuf Islam in concert. The highlight of the evening for him was when he was asked by Yusuf to join him on stage to perform ‘Father & Son’ (the song that Yusuf wrote and originally recorded as Cat Stevens).