RTÉ’s latest celebrity reality showdown ‘Charity Lords of the Ring’ started on Saturday evening on RTÉ One. Presented by former World Champion Barry McGuigan and Lucy Kennedy the charity show follows 10 celebrities on their tough journey from bootcamp training to the ring.
Directed by Roy Heayberd, produced by Isobel Nolan, co-exec produced by Barry McGuigan and executive produced by Larry Bass and Brian Peters, the week long contest - which is broadcast live - also features inserts from training that are edited at Windmill Lane.
Partaking in the series and daily training sessions, which are being held at City West are: Ex-Manchester Utd. and England footballer Lee Sharpe, comedian Alan Shortt, ‘Fair City’ star MacLean Burke, TV presenter John McGuire, ‘Dragon’s Den’ entrepreneur Sean Gallagher, journalist Joe O’Shea, former Dublin Gaelic Football hero Jack Sheedy, Daily Mirror showbiz Paul Martin, RTÉ Young People’s presenter Rob Ross and former contestant on the UK ‘Apprentice’ Ben Clarke.
Tim Witherspoon (two time World Heavyweight Champion) and Pete Taylor (coach and father of Katie Taylor, two times World Champion Women’s Boxer) are overseeing training sessions.
The original format was created by Larry Bass & Roy Heayberd. Mickey Harte has penned the theme tune and other crew includes Joe Edwards and Gerry Mac Arthur on camera alongside Stephen McDowell and Sam Horgan on sound.
It is expected that over €100,000 will go directly to ten different charities. The longer contestants manage to stay in the ring the more money they raise for their charity of choice.
Guest judges on the panel change on a programme by programme basis, those who provided their skills on the first night of the show included Pat Spillane, Jimmy McGee and Brian Peters.
'Charity Lords of the Ring' continues at 9.30pm on Tuesday 18th, Wednesday 19th and Sunday 22nd August.
