Keith, who was in Boyzone with Stephen, is back on the cobbles playing Ciaran McCarthy.

He said: “It helped me through it – there’s no doubt about it.”

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Keith will appear on screen briefly from the end of November and return for a big storyline in the New Year.

Fair City Executive Producer, Brigie de Courcy, said, “We are delighted that Keith will be joining the cast of Fair City. He is a fine actor with a powerful screen presence, and he will fit in well with our strong cast. ”

Speaking today Keith said: “As a show that has always been on in the house, I’m excited to be now be joining the cast of this leading Irish drama. Although Ringo makes just a small appearance this year, keep watching next year for my triumphant return!”

Keith is known for his acting roles in ‘Coronation Street’ and RTÉ drama ‘The Clinic’ amongst others, as well as his appearance in the sold-out run of ‘Dandelions’ at the Olympia Theatre, Dublin. He is also enjoying huge success as a member of recently reformed boy band Boyzone, currently on a sell-out tour.

RTÉ’s Fair City has seen an increase in ratings in recent weeks and months. The popular soap, which was refreshed at the end of August with a new opening title sequence and reworked signature tune, has seen a string of impressive audience figures in the last few months. In August, Fair City attracted an average audience of 453,000 per episode – up 21,000 viewers on the same period last year. The average audience figure for September to date is up again from August’s figure to 526,000 per episode – a year-on-year increase of 69,000 on September 2007.