Al back on TV? Watch this space, says TV3 exec
AS TV3 announced it is to rebrand to Virgin Media One this week the station’s director of content Bill Malone refused to rule out a return to the small screen for embattled comedian Al Porter.
Speaking to the Irish Mail on Sunday at this week’s launch, Bill Malone said: ‘Watch this space’, when asked if the six unaired episodes of Porter’s Blind Date would be broadcast.
It was previously reported that the unseen episodes would ‘never see the light of day’.
But this week Malone refused to rule out anything regarding the show or Porter’s involvement.
Last year, the Al Porter-fronted Irish version of the dating show was touted as one of the highlights of the Ballymount broadcaster’s autumn schedule.
It seemed to secure the Tallaght-born comedian’s status as a kingpin of the Irish light entertainment scene.
But last November, Porter, 25, suffered a spectacular fall from grace following allegations of inappropriate behaviour. TV3, which had invested significant sums in buying the Irish rights to the format, decided to shelve the show after six episodes – despite having filmed 12 instalments.
One of the claims levelled at pantomime star Porter late last year alleged that the funnyman, who resigned from his Today FM radio slot, had groped a patient at St Patrick’s Hospital in Dublin during a charity visit aimed at promoting the issue of mental health.
Last month, an inquiry into allegations was published.
The findings of the report have not been published, but Porter turned to social media last month to say he was ‘pleased’ with the report’s findings. ‘I have always denied any impropriety at St Patrick’s Hospital during my charity radio visit,’ he wrote.
Sources have told the MoS that he wants to ‘regain his good name’ and make a ‘come back to television’. And his wish may come true. ‘Watch this space,’ said former RTÉ exec Mr Malone when pressed on the issue of Blind Date’s future.
‘It was a big hit for us,’ Mr Malone said. ‘Right now we are keeping a watching brief.’
A spokeswoman for Mr Porter declined to comment last night.