Carl Mullan shares classy gesture from Will Leahy after Rose of Tralee exit
It was revealed last Friday that Will had been dropped from the job of introducing the Roses at the Tralee festival after 20 years. 2FM Breakfast radio star Carl was announced as the new Master of Ceremonies.
But speaking just hours ahead of Monday night's televised Rose of Tralee, Carl said Will was one of the first to call him and give him tips.
He said: 'Will is an absolute pro and a legend. He was doing it for 20 years. So of course (it's big shoes to fill). I mean to follow someone like Will. It's a great honour is the biggest thing I would say.
'Everything you need to know about Will Leahy is the fact that he was the first person on the phone to me, and he was giving me all the tips, all the pointers, all the banana skins, kind of everything like, you know what I mean?
'So knowing that you have someone like that on your side and helping you along the way and giving you advice is absolutely amazing.'
The Dubliner said he is 'excited' to get going with the festival, which is hosted by Daithi O Se and Kathryn Thomas.
'I'm just really excited for it now, especially now that I've arrived in you can get a sense of the buzz around the place.
'It's nearly when you're at home and you're just waiting, that's the worst part, whereas now I'm just really excited. I always have to keep reminding myself as well. I'm like, if you can dance on live television, having not known at all how to dance the week beforehand, you can do anything.' He said laughing.
But he said the Rose of Tralee 'isn't about me' but he will try and have a lot of fun with his master of ceremonies duties.
'Well, I think the most important thing I would say is, like, it's not about me, it's about the Roses, 'But, you know, I think there's definitely got to be points where I'll try and have a little bit of craic.
'And it's kind of funny as well, because you can go through rehearsals, but then when you're in the room, the energy can be very different. And you might say something that lands completely differently to how you expect. So to be honest with you, because this is my first time around, my main thing is, let's land it. Let's get it done.
'It's not about me, but I'm going to have fun with it as well,' he said. Will Leahy no longer Rose of Tralee MC after 20 years (Image: RTÉ)
Ahead of tonight's Rose of Tralee festival, the Cork Rose is a strong favourite to be crowned, according to Ladbrokes.
Nancy Lehane is a primary school teacher and multi-instrumentalist, who has been teaching since she was 14 years old.
She is also a keen Gaelic footballer playing for her local club, making her just the fit for Rose contender (9/4).
Alex Apati, a spokesman for Ladbrokes, said: 'The Rose of Tralee is finally here and Nancy Lehane from the Rebel County looks like she'll be taking the crown home this week, but as we know, this festival can be full of surprises!'
But Nancy told us: 'It doesn't really make much difference. Like, I think this competition is not called that way at all.'
Nancy said she applied to be the Cork Rose 'on a whim'.
'I kind of applied for it on a whim. I didn't really come in with any expectations at all, and I definitely didn't expect to win it. So I went to sign my boyfriend up to be an escort first, and I was filling out slightly under the cover of filling out the application form for him.
'Then we got to references. He declined after I asked him for his boss's number. So then I said, You know what? I'll go into the Cork Rose but never expected to be here. I'm supposed to be on holidays,' before adding: 'I've no regrets'.
Elsewhere, 23-year-old Laura Daly is second favourite, representing the Kingdom. Laura is an aspiring teacher and dancer who started her own dance school whilst in college.
Her determined spirit sits her at 4/1 to be crown in her home county.
Celine O'Meara from Limerick is the first ever United Arab Emirates Rose. Her teaching and musicianship brought her to the UAE and she has excelled with her harp there performing all over the country, whilst also beginning a modelling career. She is 5/1 to win.
Fluent Irish speaker and judicial assistant Edel Cronin is 12/1 to be the first Dublin Rose to win the coveted title since 2003.
Rose of Tralee 2025, hosted by Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas will be broadcast live tonight (Monday 18th August) and tomorrow, Tuesday 19th August from 8pm.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes commented: 'The Rose of Tralee is finally here and Nancy Lehane from the Rebel County looks like she'll be taking the crown home this week, but as we know, this festival can be full of surprises!'
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