THE writers of the hit sitcom Father Ted. Graham Linehan and Arthur Mathews have contacted The Irish Times in order to dispel some unfounded rumours about the upcoming third series of the show, writes Brian Boyd. "Arthur was woken up at 3 a.m. the other night by a report on the English radio news that the next series of Ted features a story line about Father Ted having an illegitimate son," says cowriter Graham Linehan. "Apparently this story first surfaced in an Irish tabloid and it is entirely untrue. In fact, we haven't even begun writing the third series yet."

Meanwhile, we find that Father Ted actress, Pauline McLynn is to star in a new sitcom written by an Irish comic to be broadcast on BBC Radio 4. Written by Karl MacDermott, The Mahaffys is about a typical maladjusted family who live in a fictional west of Ireland town called Tubberbiggle. The show, which will be broadcast every Wednesday for six weeks at 11.15 p.m. from June 4th, is described by MacDermott as "The Simpsons meet Ballykissangel". Turn on and tune in..