Lorraine's brave face as TV3 pals snub her book launch

The event at new Dublin nightclub The Pink was given a wide berth by Lorraine's ex-TV3 luvvies. Apart from Apprentice boss Bill Cullen and his partner Jackie Lavin, it was left mainly to a handful of RTE women to add some glamour.

The only former Xpose colleague who made it to Ms Keane's Working The Red Carpet launch was Aisling O'Loughlin, but her presence did little to disguise the absence of Karen Koster, Lisa Cannon and Glenda Gilson.

The high-profile absentees last night came amid rumours that TV3 chiefs warned staff not to attend, although this was denied by a senior TV3 source.

"Our staff can do what they please, we did not issue a directive," said the insider.

Even former Xpose reporter Sybil Mulcahy and the show's producer Debbie O'Donnell failed to attend -- Ms Keane had attended Debbie's wedding in Italy last September. Speaking about the absence of her TV3 colleagues, Aisling explained how it was up to each to make their own decision.

EYEBALLS

"I'm not too sure, I know everyone is up to their eyeballs at the moment, but on that score everyone has to make up their own mind," she told the Herald. "I know Lorraine well and we go way back. I know we've had some tough times together and we've had great times together. She's always been a great support and you don't forget that.

"I haven't had a chance to read it (the book) properly. I'm looking forward to sitting down and reading it."

Dressed to impress in a stunning pink dress, flanked by her husband Peter Devlin and two young daughters Emilia (7) and Romy (4), Lorraine did her best to put a brave face after being snubbed by many of her friends in the industry.

"I'd love them to be here, of course I would and I'm very close to all the girls," she said of her former Xpose co-stars.

"They're like a family, you know. I wrote a book that is light hearted and fun, it's entertaining, it's informative, it pokes fun at the business. I did not write a book to upset anyone."

lnolan@herald.ie