Irish Daily Mail, Friday, June 1, 2012
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Handbags at dawn as the housewives clash on air IT’S the reality show that lifts the lid on the lives of Dublin’s privileged social set. And while viewers enjoy the glamour in Dublin Housewives, it’s the fiery clash of Danielle Meagher and Virginia Macari that has gripped the nation.
At odds since a cast trip to Kinsale during filming, the duo almost came to blows on TV3’s Midweek on Wednesday night. With each woman keen to put her own side of the story across after their clash at dinner in the Blue
‘You have to sit back and be a lady’ Haven in Kinsale – which viewers saw last night – it was handbags at dawn as the outspoken pair clashed on-air. Asked by host Colette Fitzpatrick about the clash, Danielle said that she wasn’t here for an ‘argy bargy’, adding: ‘There is a bit of tension but when there is tension, you have to sit back and be a lady.’ However, her assertion that she prefers to be distinguished from the cast angered her co-star. Danielle said: ‘I am very different to
By Hannah-Louise Dunne Showbusiness Editor
the other four. I wouldn’t be one to be into the champagne lifestyle.’ Virginia hit back, accusing the Botox expert of insulting her co-stars. She said: ‘We’re five women put together for a show. ‘But I would never have expected anything like this to happen in the sense of someone badmouthing us all.’ ‘I was really hurt by that.’ On reports that Danielle was not invited to New York on a cast trip, Virginia added: ‘She said she wasn’t invited to New York and I did (invite her).’ During the gripping argument, viewers took to Twitter and online forums to share their opinion – with the show trending top of Twitter’s trends on Wednesday night. One user wrote about ‘the unedifying spectacle of two of the Dublin housewives bickering like brats’. The show’s producer, John Norton, said: ‘My regret is that this is what the show is known for, because we’ve covered a lot of other issues that are important.’ But he conceded that the clash does make for good viewing. The show returns later this summer. Eoin Murphy – Page 15 showbiz@dailymail.ie
how they measure up VIRGINIA MACARI
TV hit: Virginia also featured in Celebrity Salon
Claim to Fame: A fashion designer, Virginia first came to notice with her Macari & Brennan range. She launched a new line of bikinis at this year’s Miss Ireland. Before Dublin Housewives: Virginia showed off her smallscreen appeal in RTÉ’s now-defunct comedy Podge & Rodge. She has also modelled and appeared in another reality show, Celebrity Salon in 2010. Significant Other: Virginia is engaged to her long-term Norwegian love Kaste Dahl after he popped the question during an forthcoming episode of the show. Signature Style: A sultry presence on-screen, Virginia is seldom spotted with a hair out of place. Best line: ‘I don’t want to waste good wine on her.’
DANIELLE MEAGHER Claim to Fame: Ireland’s bestknown Botox expert as the clinical director of DermaFace Clinic, Danielle has treated a host of wellknown patients in recent years. Before Dublin Housewives: Danielle was best known for her work as an expert contributor for shows such as Xposé and to magazines including RSVP and Now. Significant Other: Single at the moment, Danielle has enjoyed romances with some well-known rugby players including French international Fulgence Ouedraogo, known to most as Fufu. Signature Style: Danielle has a penchant for blue jeans and snappy leather jackets – and is most frequently spotted on the show in jeans and a trendy T-shirt. Best line: ‘My ear nearly bloody fell off because it was so bored.’
Botox expert: Danielle dated rugby player Fufu
D’Arcy to sue after trip puts his nose out of joint Ray D’Arcy is to take legal action over a fall that has left him needing surgery to repair a broken nose. The Today FM star said he has reluctantly decided to sue over his injured face but plans to donate any compensation to charity. The popular presenter landed face-first on the pavement while jogging into work last week but carried on and presented his breakfast show. He told how he took the nasty fall during his morning run after tripping on the protruding stub of a signpost. The 47-year-old father of one has now
By Lynne Kelleher revealed he has been told by his surgeon that he needs an operation next week to repair the damage. He told listeners on his show: ‘It is bent but I am not worried about the aesthetic of it. ‘He assures me if I leave the septum like that I will have sinus probBruised: Ray D’Arcy after his jogging accident
lems in the future. It was bad. There is going to be legal action. I have decided now.’ He said his fiancée, Jenny Kelly, urged him to take up a listener’s suggestion of claiming compensation for a charity when he found out he had to have surgery. He added: ‘When I came home and told Jenny that I had to have an operation and an anaesthetic, she said: “Now it’s serious, get a solicitor’s letter into those people and let’s get it going.”’ But the Kildare host said he was reluctant to go down the
legal route saying: ‘I’m not litigious. I don’t feel right about doing that. But it could have been (worse) and you have to ensure it doesn’t happen to someone else. ‘Some people have suggested – I shouldn’t joke about this – that there might have been some brain damage and my personality has changed in the last week,’ he said. The breakfast radio host said he has taken pictures of the offending sign stump last week after taking the nasty fall. The DJ regularly campaigns for charity on his show and helped to raise €2million as part of Today FM’s Shave or Dye drive.