Funeral details announced for beloved TV star Julian Benson
The dancer, choreographer and former Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) judge died over the weekend following a 'courageous battle' with cystic fibrosis.
Julian was diagnosed with the genetic disorder when he was just two years old but only revealed his condition in 2018. He was just 54 at the time of his passing. Funeral details have been released for the late Julian Benson. Pic: Brian McEvoy
According to a notice on RIP.ie, Julian will be laid to rest at Fanagans Funeral Home, located on Aungier Street on Friday, April 25, from 5 to 7 pm.
His funeral mass will then be held at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Donnybrook on Saturday, April 26, at 11 am.
Following that, his funeral will take place in Glasnevin Cemetery. The dancer, choreographer and former Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) judge died over the weekend following a 'courageous battle' with cystic fibrosis. Pic: Brian McEvoy
A statement from Julian's family confirmed he had died surrounded by his nearest and dearest 'following a courageous battle.'
They extended thanks to the Cystic Fibrosis team at St Vincent's Hospital, Dublin; the ICU team at St Vincent's; Beaumont Hospital's Transplant team and the care teams who helped him live an extraordinary and full life.
Julian is survived by his brother Adrian, sister-in-law Rachel, and his beloved nieces and nephew. Julian was diagnosed with the genetic disorder when he was just two years old but only revealed his condition in 2018. He was just 54 at the time of his passing. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Tributes poured in for the star, with Larry Bass, CEO of ShinAwil (producers of DWTS) writing: 'We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our wonderful friend Julian Benson.
'Our very own Captain Sparkle who brought so much joy, brilliance and talent to the world.
'His attitude and outlook on life was ever inspiring and will continue to be thanks to his constant effort to better the lives of people around him, especially with the creation of the Julian Benson CF Foundation – his legacy will live on forever.'
He added: 'Julian was one of a kind, and will be forever missed. The world lost a bit of sparkle today.'
RTE Director-General Kevin Bakhurst said he is 'deeply saddened' by the news.
'Many people in Ireland will remember Julian as he burst onto our screens as a judge on Dancing with the Stars in 2017 and most recently joined forces with the Room to Improve team as he was the driving force to provide a house for the families of people with Cystic Fibrosis,' he said.
'He brought a contagious passion for life and for improving the lives of other people to the project. Julian has been a stalwart for people with CF and will be greatly missed by so many. My deepest sympathies are with his family, friends, and colleagues. May he rest in peace.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
13 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Jennifer Zamparelli narrates The Rocky Horror Show musical coming to Cork this month: 'It's an absolute riot'
Jennifer Zamparelli wears lots of hats. She's the mother of two children. She's also a radio presenter, TV host of the Irish winter cultural phenomenon Dancing with the Stars, screenwriter, comedy actor, entrepreneur (she co-owns a luxury hair salon) and now she's back treading the boards again in a musical, The Rocky Horror Show, which is touring Irish theatres this month. 'The musical has stood the test of time,' she says. 'It's been going since the 1970s. The creator, Richard O'Brien, also co-wrote the movie, which originally didn't do so well, but it became a cult phenomenon when it played as a late-night picture show. It garnered this huge following, with people dressing up, attracting people who didn't fit in, misfits who felt part of something. It was ahead of its time. 'It's basically about sex and liberation, being who you want to be, and gender fluidity. A bunch of aliens come down to Earth and want to have sex with everyone. When I got the offer for it, I turned to my dad and said 'Do you know what? I might give this one a miss'.' 'But then after doing some research myself, and making him watch a documentary about it, we're both fully invested in it now. It's an absolute riot. It's a lot of fun. It's still, I would say, ahead of its time, and probably needed more now than ever.' Zamparelli plays the narrator, reprising a role performed by the likes of Jack Nicholson, Danny De Vito, and Stephen Fry. 'Big shoes to fill,' she admits. She's reuniting with Jason Donovan for the production. The pair played a married couple in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert for a Dublin run in 2013. She says he has no airs or graces: 'I suppose somebody of that stature who's been on the West End and has done every musical under the sun, you'd think there'd be this persona, but he's not a prima donna. He's down to earth. Very much a family man. He just loves what he does and he's kind. That really helps when you're jumping in as a newbie to a production that's been running for a long time.' For Zamparelli, it's another chance to work with a childhood crush, having been a Neighbours TV soap opera superfan in the late 1980s: 'He might have even been a poster on my wall at one stage. I was running home to watch himself and Charlene get married at half one in the day on BBC. I'll never forget it. The wedding of the century. It's wild — he hasn't changed. He's actually got better looking with age.' Rocky Horror Show: Adam Strong as Frank n Furter. Photo: David Freeman Since leaving down her radio mic in 2024, after a decade as a presenter at RTÉ 2fm, she misses the camaraderie with her colleagues in the studio, the conversations on air — fielding offbeat stories from callers from around the country. Now that she has her 'freedom', she doesn't miss the huge commitment — 'being in the same place, same time, [practically] every single day' for 10 years. One thing Zamparelli won't give up any time soon is her role as the longest-serving Dancing with the Stars host, which she's fronted since 2019, originally with Nicky Byrne and lately with Doireann Garrihy. She loves the thrill of live television, even though the most unexpected things can happen: 'It was [nerve-racking] in the beginning. I suppose as the Sundays go on, it gets easier, but it's never a walk in the park because anything can go wrong. I've been on that stage where the whole system went down, and we had a blackout for seven minutes. But I always think 'what's the worst that can happen?'. 'At this stage, I've been through a lot of shows, but as soon as you get up to the top of those stairs, and you're looking down, and there's a live studio audience, the fear is there. It never, ever goes. I remember falling over a prop. I'm flashing my arse to the nation, but luckily, the camera had come away from me, so it was just the studio audience that got to see that sight. And I had to get through the rest of the show.' 'Covid was wild as well because we didn't know what was happening. We didn't know if we could let them dance together, and that was quite a scary time as well. And sure, look, I've been through a load of presenters as well — we've had Nicky, we've had Doireann. It's all been great. It's an infectious, joyous show to be part of. It's a bit of brightness in the darkness of winter. I start it in the depths of winter. I'm driving in, it's misery and rain. As soon as it's over, we're into spring and it's brighter. It gets me through those dark months.' Zamparelli says she has great regard for the celebrities who take on the challenge, who include the comedian Bernard O'Shea, her old sidekick on breakfast radio and the sitcom they co-wrote and starred in, Bridget & Eamon: 'They're put through their paces. They really work hard. I think anybody who gets through, even week-one, has a lot to be said for them because they've never done that before. It's live, in front of an audience. There's voting, a lot of pressure. I don't know how they do it. And I don't know how we've any more celebrities left in the country, but apparently, we do. So, we're gonna keep doing it until we've got through all of them.' Jennifer Zamparelli is touring The Rocky Horror Show, including Cork Opera House (Tuesday, August 26 – Saturday, August 30). See: A Question of Taste Best recent book you've read: I've just finished the whole Elements series — Water, Earth, Fire, Air — by John Boyne, which is a bit dark, but I do like a bit of darkness when I'm reading. They're all intertwined. I'm not a fast reader, so they're the perfect read for me. I really enjoyed those books. Best recent TV viewing: I tend not to watch much TV until the wintertime, but I did watch the latest White Lotus series. It was really good, but not as good as earlier ones. Best recent film: I wouldn't be a massive Marvel or superhero fan, but I got to go to a screening of The Fantastic Four when I was covering recently for Dave Moore on Today FM. As superhero movie movies go it's up there. It's very good. Best recent play: I went to see Tommy Tiernan in the Abbey Theatre acting in Kevin Barry's The Cave with my mom. She wasn't keen on the first half, but after they did the eulogies, it flew along. I loved it from start to finish. The whole cast was phenomenal. I really enjoyed that. Piece of music you've been listening to lately: My daughter watched Mamma Mia! and the sequel so we're on an Abba absolute freight train, which is going nowhere. We're in the car, and all she wants to do is listen to Abba on a loop. We're demented with Abba at the moment!
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
‘I've been waiting to do this', admits Arthur Gourounlian as he gets permanent ink to honour daughter
RTE star Arthur Gourounlian has shared a personal update with his fans after he showed off his new permanent link to his daughter. The Dancing with the Stars judge and his Six O'Clock Show host husband Brian Dowling are proud parents to their two kids, Blake, two, and one-year-old Blu. 3 Arthur got a touching tribute to his daughter today Credit: Instagram 3 He took fans along on the journey Credit: Instagram 3 Arthur ended up getting two tattoos dedicated to his youngest daughter Credit: Instagram The celebrity couple often share sweet glimpses of their family life with fans on social media. Today, Arthur took to his Instagram to share an unusual update with fans regarding his personal life. The dad-of-two was sat in his car early in the morning sporting a pair of shades. Recording a short message for his fans he explained: "Good morning gorgeous people, happy Tuesday, hope you are all doing well. "Right, so the time has come for me to go and do my tattoo. I've been waiting to do this since Blake turned one. It was supposed to be for her birthday, but we didn't get time, because when you are on holiday you have to keep it out of the sun." The TV star then held up his forearm to show fans where he already had his first daughter's name tattooed. He added: "As I have Blake Maria Rose... so time to add Blu! I've been waiting for this, I am so excited." Arthur then took his fans along on his journey to get his daughter's name tattooed on his arm. The 45-year-old got his new ink in Temple Bar's The Ink Factory, where he showed off the initial sketches from the artist. After some brief back and forth, Arthur and his tattooist agreed on a final design and started the piece. Inside Arthur Gourounlian and Brian Dowling's 10th wedding anniversary Later, he took to his Instagram to show off the finished work- which included an additional art-piece. To show the finished design with his fans, Arthur showed off both sides of his forearm, which included a hand-drawn sketch of Blu's name in his handwriting, as well as his "first ever heartbeat scan". Doting on his two new tattoos, Arthur gushed: "I absolutely love it. Oh my god, I love, love, love it." STRIKE A POSE Arthur recently launched a brand-new fleece collection as part of his company, The AG. The 44-year-old didn't have far to look when it came to asking someone to model his new clothes. His little girl Blake was delighted to take on the role and model his cosy fleeces. In a short clip posted to Arthur's Instagram, Blake could be seen striking a pose in the bright pink fleece. The toddler had her hands in her pockets and a cheesy grin on her face. Arthur snapped dozens of photos of the little one as she pouted her lips. Blake had a blast jumping around while Arthur attempted to capture more The TV star jokingly captioned the video: "They say to keep it within the family."
Extra.ie
2 days ago
- Extra.ie
Rocky Horror Show wows audience
The legendary Richard O'Brien's – Rocky Horror Show took audience participation to a new level last night, as the production opened to excited whoops and hollers from the ecstatic crowd at the Bórd Gáis Energy Theatre. The West End cast, with Jason Donovan playing the lead, saw the former Neighbours star, taking his role as 'Frank N Furter' to new heights as he threw himself wholeheartedly into the part, rocking the corset, skimpy black satin knickers and high heels, as he pranced and preened his way around the stage. The producers choice of Narrator, in (Ex 2fm presenter) Jennifer Zamparelli, proved to be a wise move, as Jen was more than able to handle the hecklers and messers in the audience, quick with the comebacks, causing peels of laughter from the crowd, while never missing her cue. Not surprising considering her pedigree in the world of entertainment, having previously performed in Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the same theatre, as well as presenting Dancing with the Stars and the hidden camera show The Fear. Nothing, it seems, can phase this lady. Jennifer Zamparelli on stage at the opening night of Richard O'Brien's legendary rock 'n' roll musical The Rocky Horror Show at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin. Pic: Brian McEvoy The audience engaged with the cast at every opportunity, real fans of the show who knew every line and joined in with smart-ass quips and shouts at opportune moments, causing Jason Donovan and indeed others in the cast to 'quiver with antic—ipation' of the next shoutout, with Donovan grinning and giggling as he attempted to keep a straight face as 'Frank n Furter', while frolicking under the satin bedsheets with Janet AND Brad. – (Fans will get it) Donovan who was best known in his younger years for playing the clean cut Scott Robinson in the hit Australian series Neighbours opposite Kylie Minogue, has since then had multiple hit singles and starred in various other musicals such as Chicago, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and War of the Worlds, to name just a few. Jennifer Zamparelli on stage with Jason Donovan at the opening night of Richard O'Brien's legendary rock 'n' roll musical The Rocky Horror Show at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin. Pic: Brian McEvoy But the Rocky Horror Show has diehard fans right across the globe, and many of them showed up in force, and in costume for the opening of this crazy rockin show at the Bórd Gáis Energy Theatre last night. Men in high heels, fishnets, and corsets mingled with other bemused audience members who posed for photos with the lingerie-clad Rocky Horror fans. Jo, Nathan and Sky Flood, from Tipperary, at the opening night of Richard O'Brien's legendary rock 'n' roll musical The Rocky Horror Show at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin. Pic: Joan Larkin The rest of the cast of this madcap crazy show were bursting with talent and energy as they lifted the roof off the theatre with their vibrant and powerful rendition of songs such as Timewarp, Sweet Transvestite and Dammit Janet. Speaking of the demure and shy character of Janet, she was played by Lauren Chia, who has previously played Maria in West Side Story and Christmas Eve in Avenue Q, while opposite her as the geeky Brad, Connor Carson played a blinder. His previous credits include Chuck in Footloose and The Beast in Beauty and the Beast. Jennifer Zamparelli on stage at the opening night of Richard O'Brien's legendary rock 'n' roll musical The Rocky Horror Show at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin. Pic: Brian McEvoy The rest of the stellar cast pulled the entire show together and it can only be imagined the amount of fun this lot had putting this production on the stage, and, if last nights audience was anything to go by, including the five minute long standing ovation at the end, everyone involved will have gone home with a spring in their step after a romptastic musical feast for the senses. Ryan Meharc, Sean McDermott and Emma Murphy at the opening night of Richard O'Brien's legendary rock 'n' roll musical The Rocky Horror Show at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin. Pic: Brian McEvoy This rip roaring musical is in Ireland for a limited run, August 11th to 16th, so better move fast if you want to get your hands on tickets. Get your red feather boas out, dust off those fishnets and heels and get yourself along to the Bórd Gáis Energy theatre for the night of your life.
