One week after the deadline for submitting potential Eurovision songs to RTÉ, rumours are rife of an unusual entry.
Newspapers are reporting that Dustin the Turkey is one of the contenders, with his song '12 Points' ('Douze Points'), which may in itself be a tongue-in-cheek parody of all things Eurovision.
If the Dustin rumour is true, and he is selected for the Irish final, it will mean that the remaining five Eurosong finalists have to face one of the country's biggest and best-known stars in the race for Belgrade, where the 53rd Eurovision Song Contest will take place in May.
'The Den' legend, who has been an RTÉ star since 1990, has outlasted his fellow puppets on the show, Zig and Zag, and four human co-hosts: Ian Dempsey, Ray D'Arcy, Damien McCaul and Francis Boylan Jr.
The entertainer has previously released six albums and dueted with a number of singers including Bob Geldof, Chris De Burgh, Ronnie Drew, Dervla Kirwan and the late Joe Dolan.
Ireland still holds the record as the country with the biggest number of Eurovision wins, with seven awards.
After a disappointing last place result in 2007, RTÉ assembled a committee of music and media professionals, including 1992 Eurovision winner Linda Martin, to review the broadcaster's strategy for selecting the 2008 entry.
RTÉ received some 150 submissions and the committee will select six entries that will compete in Eurosong, which RTÉ will broadcast from Limerick in February.
For more on Dustin and his 'Once a Week' show, click here.
