AFTER a particular busy spell for me, with something on most weekends, a period of relative calm approaches, for which I am very grateful.
Given that I present a radio programme on Saturday evenings, I haven’t had a chance to ‘get into’ Strictly this year. Until this week, I only had a rough idea of who was involved.
Now, thanks to a public display of affection between two of the dancers which has sent social media and television talk shows into a frenzy, I'm up to speed.
The comedian Seann Walsh was, until a few days ago, in a relationship; his on-screen partner, professional dancer Katya Jones, is married.
For all the skimpy outfits, fake tan, make-up and suggestive dancing, Strictly maintains a squeaky clean image and is must-watch TV for many families on a Saturday evening.
The pair, who were caught in what looked like a passionate kiss, publicly apologised for their behaviour. End of story, they hoped.
But then Walsh’s now ex-girlfriend issued a statement of her own which shot from the hip. She left the public in no doubt about Walsh’s ill treatment of her.
At the time of writing, Seann and Katya intend to dance a Charleston on this evening’s show in front of millions of viewers. The BBC gave them the go ahead to stay in the competition. I will be surprised if they go through with it. If they do, some will say that it’s a gutsy display, some will say it’s arrogant.
Although Seann Walsh’s ex, Rebecca Humphries, is the victim here and has the upper hand, it must be awful to have your private affairs discussed publicly. However, put yourself in a public space, and that’s what you have to expect, isn’t it?
I do feel sorry for Rebecca Humphries but I couldn’t believe the media coverage of this story, in the same few days when Emma Mhic Mhathúna lost her battle against cervical cancer. Her condition was not diagnosed in time to save her life.
In this world of false celebrity, have we lost the run of ourselves?
Emma Mhic Mhathúna’s death shook me to the core. She was 37, younger than me, and a mother of five – her children are aged two to 15. She was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2016, having previously received two incorrect smear-test results, one of 221 women who had been misdiagnosed and who are at the centre of the CervicalCheck controversy in the Republic.
Knowing that she was terminally ill, Emma courageously pursued justice and truth. She spoke openly on television and radio. Her first interview with Audrey Carville on RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland was one of the most emotional pieces of radio I have heard in a long time. Emma was dying because of human error.
This interview was repeated on Sunday when Emma’s death was announced and it was even more powerful. It will stay with me forever.
She praised the doctors and nurses working on the front line of the health services, she called out the management of the HSC. In June she settled a legal action over the controversy for €7.5 million. That’s a lot of money and it will help to raise her children, but it will never replace their mother, and what a mother she was.
She carefully planned her funeral. Although a practising Catholic, she was adamant that her death could not have been in God’s plan. Few will disagree with that.
From the people of Baile na nGall in the Kerry Gaeltacht where she had settled with her family 18 months ago, to Áras an Uachtaráin, to the tricolour flying at half mast at the Dáil, the people of Ireland have been both moved and inspired by Emma Mhic Mhathúna’s selflessness. It was lovely to see so many come together and unite in her honour but I do wonder why it often takes tragedy on such a scale for us to act like this as a people.
In her final months she made picnics, she enjoyed her children, she tried her hand at stand-up comedy but most importantly, she fought. I will certainly never forget her and hope that her children grow to understand and appreciate every day, that their mother was a remarkable woman. May she have a lasting legacy.
Suamhneas síoraí dá hanam uasail.
