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Ciara Doherty announces new role after shock exit from Virgin Media

Ciara Doherty announces new role after shock exit from Virgin Media

Extra.ie​a day ago

Ciara Doherty has announced her next career move after her surprising exit from Virgin Media.
The former Tonight Show and Ireland AM host announced her departure from the station back in 2024 after 14 years.
While there were no word on what she'd be doing following her suddent departure, Ciara announced that she'll be trading the television studio for the podcast studio; as she was announced as the new host of Newstalk's upcoming Newstalk Daily podcast. Ciara Doherty has announced her next career move after her surprising exit from Virgin Media. Pic: Virgin Media Television
'Are you on the hunt for a podcast that takes a deeper dive into the stories you care about?' Ciara said in a video announcing the new podcast. 'I'm delighted to join Newstalk, and announce the launch of our new podcast, Newstalk Daily.
'Each weekday, we'll feature one story that has the country talking. Bringing you richer insights, wider analysis, and compelling voices, both here and abroad. We launch on Monday, the 23rd of June, and we cannot wait to bring you our unique insight into the big stories of the day.
'It's conversation that counts on Newstalk Daily, so join us from Monday the 23rd of June.' View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Newstalk (@newstalkfm)
'Hosted by Ciara Doherty and launching on Monday 23rd June, Newstalk Daily will focus on a story that has captured the public's imagination and has everyone talking,' the station wrote on Instagram. 'Get your 20-minute expert guide to the big stories of the moment whether you are at work, travelling or whenever and wherever you want to be in the know.'
Ciara surprised viewers of The Tonight Show last year after announcing her departure, saying in a statement following her exit 'After 14 brilliant years at Virgin Media Television, I've decided to move on from late nights and early mornings to begin a new adventure.
'Thank you to my incredible colleagues and friends, to all of our guests, especially to the viewers who joined me along the way.' Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins
'Now is the time for fresh opportunities, fewer late nights… and I'm genuinely looking forward to what's ahead.'

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Inside Aaron Taylor-Johnson's controversial marriage… and how it survived ‘grooming claims' and vile stepdaughter slurs
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Inside Aaron Taylor-Johnson's controversial marriage… and how it survived ‘grooming claims' and vile stepdaughter slurs

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They first met in 2008, when Aaron, then just 18, was cast in the role of a teenage John Lennon in Sam's directorial debut Filmmaker and double cancer survivor Sam was 41, more than double his age, and had two daughters with her ex-husband, the art dealer Jay Jopling - to whom she was married for 11 years before they 'amicably' split in 2008. While seemingly worlds apart, the pair connected and reportedly got together upon completing their film . As Sam told Harper's Bazaar in 2019, 'We were very professional through the entire film… But everyone on set knew. 'And as soon as we finished, he told me he was going to marry me. We had never been on a date, or even kissed.' She was quick to stress the fact that he pursued her, seemingly trying - and failing - to squash the 'granny groomer' accusations swiftly lobbed in her direction. Filming concluded in March and, by June - when Aaron turned 19 - they were stepping out together on date nights. Neither confirmed a romance, but the PDAs did the talking. By their film's premiere in October 2009 they were officially a couple. Walking the red carpet arm-in-arm - Sam in a glitzy gold dress and Aaron in a tux - they started as they meant to go on: loud and unapologetic. Needless to say, the reaction was deafening. Comments from the time included: 'She looks like his mum!' and 'How can she do this to him? He's only a child who barely knows his own mind yet.' Double standards Some were also quick to point out that any positive reactions would have been very different were things the other way around. Sam wasn't just more than two decades older than Aaron. She was also wealthier, more established and - with friends like artist What's more, as the director of his breakout movie, she was effectively his boss. But despite the cascade of 'casting couch' accusations, the couple remained defiant - and a year after they met, Critics loudly declared it wouldn't last, with one commenter suggesting: 'Let's see how long he sticks around if he makes it big.' 16 The couple first met on the set of Nowhere Boy, in which a then 18-year-old Aaron played John Lennon Credit: Alamy 16 The couple went official at the Nowhere Boy premiere in October 2009 Credit: PA:Press Association 16 Sam received her OBE in 2011 with Aaron and daughters Angelica and Jessie Phoenix by her side Credit: Getty 16 Sam shares her two elder daughters with ex-husband Jay Jopling Credit: Getty Another scoffed: 'I give it three months.' By 2010 they'd welcomed their first child together - daughter Wylda Rae, now 14 - and second daughter Romy followed in January 2012. They married five months later at Babington House in Somerset - a lavish do attended by Beyonce and Elton John - and combined their surnames. They now live down the road in a £1.85m farmhouse in Bruton. Aaron claimed he wasn't nervous about fatherhood as he'd already settled into the role of stepdad to Sam's two daughters - Angelica, now 28, and Jessie Phoenix, now 18 - despite the fact that Angelica was only six years his junior. He's made a point of stating he considers them both his own daughters, affectionately calling Jessie his 'babygirl' in an Instagram caption last year to mark her 18th birthday. Obviously any suggestion he's anything more than a loving stepfather is unfounded - which is why the latest slew of rumours surrounding Aaron and his stepdaughter must have stung. 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Wild conspiracy theories of an illicit affair flooded the comments, with one commenter questioning: 'Are they flirting?' and another writing: 'What if being with the grandma is all a show and he's with her daughter?' A third added: 'If I didn't know their story, I would think that was his girlfriend.' Unsurprisingly the couple, nor their children, dignified the ludicrous furore with a response. Their reaction was the same when, two years ago, vicious rumours swirled that Aaron had an affair with his much younger Bullet Train co-star Joey King, 25. I much prefer being a parent to working. Doesn't everybody? Aaron Taylor-Johnson In his early 20s, father-of-four Aaron claimed he was just as happy playing a stay-at-home dad as he was leading blockbuster films. His early roles in their relationship included Kick Ass, Savages, Anna Karenina and Godzilla. When Sam won the highly-contested directing gig for Fifty Shades of Grey in 2015, he took time off to man the fort at home. 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Power play Speaking in 2023, Amelia Kelley, a trauma-informed therapist, told Business Insider that criticism surrounding the Taylor-Johnsons was blatant misogyny. "When we see an older woman with a younger man, it underscores that the woman isn't as young as we think they should be,' she said. 'That could be uncomfortable for someone to see.' Yet Elizabeth Jeglic, a professor of psychology at John Jay College in New York , argued against the gendered critique, suggesting it was Sam who could have abused her position of power . "The person who is older tends to be a person who has more power or more experience,' she said. 'They often will select individuals who are younger and more inexperienced because they're more vulnerable. And that creates an unequal power dynamic." 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