Wednesday March 30 2011
Brian Dowling has tried out for the job fronting ITV2's the Xtra Factor, the Herald can reveal.
In what could be a massive stepping stone in his showbiz career, the Kildare native has met producers of the spin-off show as they cast their net far and wide in a bid to replace Konnie Huq.
Now ambitious Brian (32), who returned to our small screens this week after joining Katherine Lynch on RTE's Wagon's Den, is the latest personality to throw his hat into the ring.
"This could be a huge career opportunity for Brian and he's determined to go for it 100pc," said an RTE insider.
"It's still early days and they're keeping a very open mind when it comes to Konnie's replacement. But Brian could definitely be in with a shot. He's very well known in Britain, thanks to his time on Big Brother and his profile was boosted even more when he won the last-ever show. This is the job that everyone wants right now but he's very likeable and has a lot of TV experience. The fact that he's also Irish will stand to him a lot."
Brian's many fans obviously agree too -- they have set up a Facebook page campaigning for X Factor bosses to give him the job. But he's not the only Irish star who has been linked with the job, with Xpose beauty Glenda Gilson also rumoured to have been considered. Citing it as her "dream job", the fact that she's good pals with X Factor judge Louis Walsh would also be an added boost. "It'd be fantastic. I just keep dreaming and praying. That is my dream job because I love the X Factor and I spend so much time over there with Louis. To be working on it would just be a dream," she said.
The scramble for one of the best jobs in showbiz began in earnest earlier this month after it was confirmed that former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq (35) would not be coming back to the series.
Konnie took over from previous presenter Holly Willoughby last year.
mfinn@herald.ie
- Melanie Finn
Agreed.
