The Brits sure do love us. Take note, Tubs

I have to admit I'm not Brendan O'Carroll's biggest fan. In fact, I don't get him at all. Mrs Brown's Boys leaves me cold. Not a titter or a giggle, I'm afraid.

But it seems I've had a humour bypass. It's just won Bafta, inexplicably (to me) but entirely unexpectedly (to everyone else).

Nevertheless it seems that you can't turn on any British TV station without watching Irish presenters, comedians and actors shoring up the ratings, and awards. They've taken over, and the Brits love 'em.

Brendan brought the entire family from Dublin, it seemed, to accept his award last night, which he did with good humour, a funny speech and a giant pair of green glasses stuck on his head. Subtle.

And there was Dara O Briain -- good Bray gaelgoir that he is, hosting the shindig and only the night before wasn't Corkonian Graham Norton doing the BBC voiceover for Eurovision. He won a gong last night too for his chat show which gets all the best guests.

The glorious Andrew Scott also won a Bafta for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Moriarty -- Sherlock's evil nemesis in the brilliant BBC series.

He was directed to keep his accent exactly as it was for the series -- and the natural Irishness came through without ever being Oirish.

We've always exported our very best broadcasters to the UK stations. For years, RTE kicked itself over not holding on to Father Ted -- one of the most successful sitcoms ever, which went to Channel 4 after the national broadcaster supposedly took fright at a parody of the Catholic church.

Decades before we had already popped Henry Kelly and Terry Wogan over the water; the latter became so entrenched in British life they made him a Sir.

Actors know that a hit show on a British station can make a career. That's why so many of them are prepared to be a small minnow in a big pond rather than be happy with success achieved at home.

The Cusack family discovered this decades ago when they took to the small screen after years treading the boards in Irish theatres. Niamh has featured in many UK dramas, as has sister Sinead.

There's Stephen Rea, James Nesbitt, Brenda Fricker, Liam Neeson ... the list goes on and on.

We sent Churchtown girl Dervla Kirwan over there for a spot of stage work and she ends up voicing the sexy Marks & Spencer food ads - the ultimate British brand.

With Ryan Tubridy now fronting Chris Evans' BBC radio show for a bit of the summer, after a stint covering for Graham Norton last year, it seems the UK love affair with the Irish continues unabated.

Tubs has long been asked if he's moving permanently across the water, having already reached the pinnacle of TV stardom here - a daily radio programme and hosting the Late Late Show before he's even 40. He's always demurred, but judging by the success of all who went before him, why shouldn't he?

He'd be a darn sight better off, it seems to me. Who knows - in a few years we could be lauding Sir Ryan for his contribution to British broadcasting...