Green Party TD Dan Boyle, a member of The Politicians singing group, says he will continue performing on the charity You're A Star talent competition despite being dismissed as "the fat guy" by judge Louis Walsh.
The TD described the remarks, made during Tuesday night's show, as "grossly unfair" yesterday and said he was so angry he contemplated leaving the show over them. The other politicians in the group, Fianna Fáil's Billy Kelleher, Fine Gael's Frank Feighan and Labour's Michael McCarthy, were also "appalled", he said.
"I was shocked I must admit . . . in politics we call each other a lot of names but it's never about physical appearance, it's about honesty and integrity," he said, taking a break from rehearsals at the Helix in Dublin where the contest is being held.
"I've never been personally insulted like that in my life."
After being inundated with messages of support from friends and the public, Boyle said he had decided to stay on in order to raise more money for the group's chosen charity the Irish Hospice Foundation.
Despite Paddy Power bookmakers rating them as rank outsiders at 25-1, the public appear to have taken a shine to The Politicians, voting to keep them in the competition. So far they have performed renditions of We Will Rock You, Daydream Believer and Got My Mind Set On You.
Last night they were due to tackle the romantic tune Can't Take My Eyes Off You.
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