Lynch’s foul-mouthed rant is what watching live TV series is all about

“YOU can shove it up your f***ing h**e.”

Whether you think Shane Lynch was a legend or a loser – and I’m going with the latter – this is what The Late Late Show is all about.

At last! The end of a decade-long dry spell on a show that had been disappointingly without controversy since Ryan took over. Too plain-sailing.

We like when it gets messy. This is why almost half a million of us still tune in every Friday in an era of catch-up telly and the RTE Player.

We’re hoping something will go wrong. We’re waiting for a clanger. You have to look on in horror as it happens live on telly – it’s not the same watching it back.

Friday night’s interview with a belligerent Shane Lynch was another classic moment to add to the collection.

It can be archived now along with the one of them dancing in dungarees to a backing track that Lynch took so much offence to.

EXPOSED

And who can blame him getting angry at being exposed?

The clip shows Gay Byrne describing Boyzone exactly as they are: “They have no talent, they don’t sing, they don’t write music, they don’t play instruments.” The truth hurts.

I watch every Friday, an old habit from the days of being a Sunday newspaper reporter tasked with keeping an eye on it for the news list the following day. It’s wonderful hatewatching TV. But it’s about more than that – it reveals all about Irish life.

Boyzone were an embarrassment to the history of Irish music – and Lynch’s entitled, moronic outburst in a rage at being reminded of their desperation for fame was just proof of that.

The added middle finger to the camera was a bonus. Thanks for showing us what you really are.

We haven’t had a moment quite so special since an intruder walked on to the set in 2006 and called Pat Kenny “an insufferable a ****** e”.

As for Boyzone? Thank you – and goodnight.