Entertainment News

Is RTE rock jock Dave Fanning out of tune with popular culture or is he right to stick the boot into ratings smash The Voice of Ireland? Either way, he says it's "hilarious".

Though the Irish version of the talent show, featuring esteemed judges such as Sharon Corr, Brian Kennedy, 'Bressie' and him off Westlife, has been a hit with viewers, Fanning said that they shouldn't take the purpose of the show too seriously.

"I think The Voice is hilarious. It seems to be working," Fanning told The Irish Sun. "It's top of the ratings so it's going well. But don't fool yourself that it is fantastic and it is all about the winner. It is a TV programme.

"This is not about the music, it is just TV and for a few weeks it will be great TV. It's like a big soap opera, if Eastenders or Coronation Street aren't on, that's what you watch.

Since launching in January, the show has been a huge coup for RTE, with the opening episode reaching 708,000 viewers across the country. The Voice UK is set to launch next month with the frontman of Irish pop/rock The Script, Danny O'Donoghue starring as a judge alongside the trio of will.i.am, Jessie J and Sir Tom Jones.