A slap, a crown, a half-brother and a high-stakes court case, 2022 has been an interesting year in the world of Entertainment. Here are our top ten most-read stories of the year.
10. Ireland misses out on a place in Eurovision grand final
In May Ireland's Eurovision hopeful Brooke Scullion lit up the stage at the PalaOlimpico in Turin during the Song Contest's second semi-final but failed to land a spot in the Grand Final.
The 22-year-old Derry native impressed with her unstoppably upbeat pop track That's Rich but didn't manage to break Ireland's run of bad luck at the contest.
Ireland last qualified for the Eurovision final in 2018 with Ryan O'Shaughnessy and his song Together.
Scullion, who got a huge reaction from the crowd as her track kicked off, put in a polished, peppy performance along with her quartet of backing dancers, but voting ultimately didn't go her way.
Ukraine won the song contest with 631 points following a nail-biting round of voting which saw them locked in the race to victory with fellow frontrunners the UK, Sweden and Spain.
9. Irish EastEnders actress Melanie Clark Pullen dies
In April the death was announced of Irish actress Melanie Clark Pullen, best known for her role as Mary Flaherty in EastEnders from 1997 to 1999. She was 46 and had been battling cancer.
A native of Bray, Co Wicklow, Melanie Clark Pullen's many other credits included RTÉ's Fair City, RAW, The Clinic and The Big Bow Wow; the UK series Casualty, Inspector George Gently and Doctors; and the Liam Neeson-starring film Ordinary Love. Last year, she appeared in the Aisling Bea comedy series This Way Up.
As Mary Flaherty, the great-niece of EastEnders' matriarch Pauline Fowler (the late Wendy Richard), she appeared in over 130 episodes of the BBC soap.
Paying tribute, EastEnders said: "We're deeply saddened to hear that Melanie Clark Pullen has passed away. Our love and thoughts are with Melanie's family and friends."
8. Westmeath Rose crowned the Rose of Tralee
In August Rachel Duffy was crowned the 2022 Rose of Tralee, becoming the first Rose representing Westmeath to take the title.
Duffy, who succeeded 2019's winner, Limerick Rose Dr Sinéad Flanagan, told Dáithí Ó Sé she was "just in total shock".
She added: "We've had a great year in Westmeath this year between the Tailteann Cup, Fleadh Cheoil and now we have the Rose of Tralee."
7. Bono reveals he has a half-brother who he 'adores'
In June Bono revealed he has a half-brother, whom he only learnt about when he himself was an adult.
Speaking to Lauren Laverne on BBC Radio's Desert Island Discs, the U2 frontman said he first found out about the man, who he describes as a brother he "loves and adores", in 2000.
He said his late father, Bob, had a "deep friendship" with a "gorgeous woman" and had a child with her, but that his own mother Iris, who died when Bono was 14, never knew.
Bono added that he had made peace with the situation.
6. Singer and Grease star Olivia Newton-John dies aged 73
In August Olivia Newton-John's husband announced that she had died at the age of 73.
The British-born singer died "peacefully" at her ranch in Southern California surrounded by family and friends.
Newton-John was best known for her starring role in the 1978 film Grease, in which she starred opposite John Travolta as Sandy.
Her performance saw her nominated for multiple awards including two Golden Globes, and various other film accolades.
5. Anne Heche 'not expected to survive' crash, says family
Also in August actress Anne Heche was taken to hospital following a car crash in the Mar Vista area of Los Angeles.
A statement on behalf of her family said the actress was "not expected to survive" the incident.
"We want to thank everyone for their kind wishes and prayers for Anne's recovery and thank the dedicated staff and wonderful nurses that cared for Anne at the Grossman Burn Center at West Hills hospital," the statement read.
"Unfortunately, due to her accident, Anne Heche suffered a severe anoxic brain injury and remains in a coma, in critical condition. She is not expected to survive," it added.
Heche died on 12 August 2022.
4. Singer Meat Loaf dies aged 74
In January Bat Out of Hell star, Meat Loaf died at the age of 74 from an undisclosed illness.
The singer, who was born Marvin Lee Aday, passed away with his family by his side.
A family statement read: "Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight with his wife Deborah by his side. Daughters Pearl and Amanda and close friends have been with him throughout the last 24 hours.
"His amazing career spanned 6 decades that saw him sell over 100 Million albums worldwide and star in over 65 movies, including Fight Club, Focus, Rocky Horror Picture Show and Wayne's World.
Bat Out of Hell remains one of the top 10 selling albums of all time.
3. Strictly stars confirm their romance
In April Strictly Come Dancing professional Nadiya Bychkova spoke for the first time about dating her co-star Kai Widdrington.
Ukraine-born Bychkova, 32, has been a professional dancer on the hit TV show since 2017.
In an interview with the Daily Mail Weekend magazine, Bychkova spoke openly about her relationship with fellow Strictly professional Widdrington, 26, who previously starred on RTÉ's Dancing with the Stars.
She said: "We've been seeing each other properly for a couple of months now."
2. Jury awards Depp $15m, Heard $2m in defamation fight
In June a US jury found Johnny Depp and Amber Heard defamed each other, but sided far more strongly with the Pirates of the Caribbean star following an intense libel trial involving bitterly contested allegations of sexual violence and domestic abuse.
Mr Depp, who lost a libel case in London in 2020 against The Sun for calling him a "wife-beater," celebrated the split verdict as a victory and said the jury "gave me my life back."
The five-man, two-woman jury, after deliberating over three days, found that Ms Heard had defamed her ex-husband in an op-ed piece, and awarded him $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages.
At the same time, the jury found that the 58-year-old actor had made defamatory claims against his 36-year-old former wife and also awarded her compensatory damages - but a much lower amount of $2 million.
1. Will Smith hits Chris Rock on stage during Oscars
In March Will Smith stormed the stage of the Oscars and hit Chris Rock in the face after the comedian made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
The actor - who was nominated in the Best Actor category and subsequently won - took offence to a gag Rock made about Pinkett Smith's short haircut.
The Magic Mike XXL star and Red Table Talk host has previously spoken about her experiences with hair loss and said it is what prompted her to shave her head.
Referring to Pinkett Smith's buzzcut, Rock said: "Jada, can’t wait for GI Jane 2", prompting the actress to roll her eyes.
However, Smith walked up on stage and hit Rock before returning to his seat and shouting twice: "Keep my wife's name out of your f****** mouth."
Rock was shocked and flustered as he tried to resume presenting the Best Documentary Feature category.
He said: "That was the greatest night in the history of television."
During his acceptance speech, Smith apologised saying, "I want to apologise to the Academy, I want to apologise to all my fellow nominees.
"I am a fierce defender of my family."
RTÉ Entertainment's albums of 2022
