Kathryn: It’s a pity about Brian and Kian’s row. I hope it doesn’t get bitter
SINCE Brian Kennedy rocked The Voice Of Ireland with his Mimegate accusation against Kian Egan, Kathryn Thomas has found herself stuck in the middle.
And yesterday, the presenter tried to play the voice of reason as the row smouldered on, saying: ‘It’s a bit of a pity. Brian is a good friend of mine and I think he was brilliant on the show.
She said of Kennedy and Egan: ‘If they’ve got differences of opinion, that’s their own business. They’re both good friends of mine and I hope it doesn’t get bitter.’ Kathryn’s comments come after our sister newspaper, the Irish Mail on Sunday, revealed this weekend that Kennedy – dumped as a coach after season one – had accused the former Westlife star of miming to a backing track during a live performance last year.
Egan reacted furiously, with a spokesman for RTÉ confirming at the weekend: ‘Kian sang live for each of his performances on the The Voice of Ireland. While he did sing live for the final of the show, due to throat issues, he used a supplementary backing track to accompany him.’
Speaking at the launch of this year’s Peter Mark VIP Style Awards, Kathryn said she would not hesitate to take X Factor judge Louis Walsh to task if he pretended not to recognise her – after he stirred controversy last week by claiming never to have heard of The Voice’s Jamelia.
Kathryn said: ‘I think Louis is gas. I know Louis but if he turned round to me and said he didn’t know me like he did to Jamelia, I tell you when I saw him the next time, I’d give him a bit of a dig. I think he’s great craic.
‘He loves to stir. That’s his job, that’s what he does. Louis is on The X Factor, we’re on The Voice, they’re competing shows – it’s just his sense of humour.’
She added: ‘ He does things to stir the pot, a bit like Kian. I think Kian has l earned a thing or two from Louis.’
As for whether or not The X Factor star would be concerned with the RTÉ show’s success, she said: ‘ That wouldn’t worry Louis.
He’s in England, he’s making a lot of money, he is working on a fantastic show and he’s just been rehired by Simon Cowell.
‘It’s ten years – it’s testament that he
‘Jamelia got her comeuppance’
knows what he’s talking about. But this talent show has proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that it works. I think Louis should acknowledge that.’
At the helm of the show for a second year running, she called on the coaches to show the strength of their convictions and stop voting safely.
Kathryn said: ‘There has to be more of a distinction. If the acts are good, then they need to be marked high and if they’re not, that needs to be made apparent as well. We’re looking for The Voice Of Ireland. I think personally a bigger distinction between scores would be better.’
As for Jamelia, who came under fire in the first live show for giving her own acts high marks, Kathryn said: ‘She is very nurturing and caring. I think she bonded more than she thought she was going to with her acts. But I think with her tactical scoring, she got her comeuppance.’ Kathryn was speaking after picking up a nomination for VIP’s Most Stylish Woman award. She’ll be up against the likes of Amy Huberman, the Seoige sisters and Xposé hosts Lisa Cannon and Karen Koster.
Darren Kennedy, rugby star Tommy Bowe and Love/Hate actor Killian Scott are some of those in contention for the Most Stylish Man award.
It’s the 12th year of the popular awards, set for April 26 in Dublin’s Marker Hotel.
Rosanna Davison, shortlisted for the new Look Of The Year award, said: ‘It’s a great honour. It’s an event we all look forward to every year.’