Firm friends and now podcast pair Arthur Gourounlian and Donal Skehan have grand ambitions to take over Irish telly - and become our very own answer to Ant & Dec.
The duo, who are back with a brand spanking new series of their hilarious podcast offering Let’s Do This, want to raise the bar on family entertainment viewing, with Arthur saying that Irish TV is ripe for a fun, mischievous show.
‘We would love, love, love to bring something like Saturday Night Takeaway to Ireland. Myself and Donal think we’re Ireland’s answer to Ant & Dec; better looking of course,’ he laughed.
Chipping in, celebrity chef Donal said they believe they could liven up living rooms.
'There’s a gap in Irish television for something fun, and just genuine family fun, family shows like we grew up watching when we were younger with everyone around the telly watching every Saturday at the same time. Some good old fashioned family fun.’
The celebrity dads struck up a firm friendship since both moved back to Ireland from LA just before Covid, and their enduring ‘bromance’ has morphed into a burgeoning entertainment partnership.
While Arthur is intent on launching something akin to Saturday Night Takeaway, Donal wryly quips in that takeaway is right up Arthur’s culinary street as he’s not very capable in the kitchen.
‘Arthur wouldn’t be great at cooking,' Donal remarked. 'But he is highly entertaining, and extraordinarily driven and dedicated to everything he does.'
’He came into a meeting with our production company and all he did was talk, talk, talk about his plans and different shows. His energy is just so infectious.’
For his part Arthur is equally complimentary of his friend and business partner’s drive and innate ability not to take life or himself too seriously.
‘Myself and Donal met when myself and Brian were living in LA. Donal was living there with his wife and the children. So when Covid hit Donal rang me and said “Look Arthur we're heading back, we think you should come.”
Arthur moved home within the Skehan family and moved in with them for the duration of lockdown. And that was to prove the beginnings of a very beautiful friendship.
But the celebrity dads also have their own hectic separate family lives.
Arthur is a father of two girls with husband Brian Dowling, but admits he wouldn’t rule out adding more children to their brood.
‘I always say “never say never’ - but I always said I would love three children,’ he adds coyly.
But Donal’s thoughts on expanding his family are a little more certain.
'My God no!' he baulks. 'I look at the age that Arthur and Brian are at now with their kids, and I'm horrified at the thoughts of going through all that all over again.’
'So no, the next thing for me is getting the snip.'
Before that though, the pair are continuing their podcast - recorded in the D4 surrounds of DMG Media Ireland's studio - and conjuring up plans to take over telly.
Their recent travel program Take The High Road was a rip-roaring success and they are currently in talks with a broadcaster to produce an extended series of the show.
But safe to say the pair they have grander ambitions of bringing some pizzazz to the small screen.
‘Ireland’s Ant & Dec, sure why not,’ insists Donal. We just won’t be building or demolishing houses but there’s no reason why Ireland can't have a similar show.’
‘Not necessarily Saturday Night Takeaway, but something like Noel Edmond’s House Party would be great.’
STYLE NOTES
FIFTY SHADES OF GREY
Grey blazer outfits effortlessly blend classic elegance with contemporary charm. For a smart-casual look, the combination of a grey blazer and jeans is a match made in fashion heaven striking the perfect balance between laid-back and refined.
For a more relaxed alternative to slacks, match your grey blazer with chinos in earthy tones like beige or olive. Alternatively, elevate your casual style by layering a grey blazer over a well-fitted T-shirt.
HOW TO GREY :
GETTING SHIRTY
Whether you're a formal or fun sort of shirt chap, men’s fashion for Fall-Winter 2025 is full of contrasts.
From updated basics to classic cuts and sustainable streetwear, versatility is key for getting shirty in style.
This season focuses on comfort, versatility, and durability. Relaxed silhouettes, lightweight layers, and colour palette dominated by earthy tones like blue hues of greys.
Or at the opposite end of the fashion spectrum you may prefer to go all out with vibrant colours like burnt orange, olive green and burgundy - which has emerged as the standout colour of the season.
PRET-A-PAUL
They may be generations apart, but designers Paul Costelloe and Paul Galvin are driving the high street style at Dunnes Stores with their eponymous fashion apparel for gents.
Costelloe, who has been at the forefront of both ladies’ and men’s style for over half a century, is still creating beautiful pieces every season for Dunnes Stores.
This blue tee shirt worn by Donal is a style steal at just €20.
And former GAA star turned style maverick Galvin has been creating designing men’s fashion for Dunnes since 2015 and his label is only getting better with age.
So check out the two St Paul's of Irish fashion for off-the-rack functional, fun and affordable fashion for fellas of all ages.
Photography by Evan Doherty
