TDs dumbstruck before men in tights

A WORLD where crises of adultery and treason are solved with a beheading must have been a great escape for the politicians visiting the set of The Tudorsyesterday.

The television show stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry VIII and is shot at Ardmore Studios in Co Wicklow where members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications met independent producers looking for changes to the Broadcasting Bill.

Despite admitting that they were not fans, the male politicians seemed dumbstruck during the photo opportunity with Rhys Meyers. Perhaps they had never met a man in tights before?

Maybe as they stood in the middle of the grand 16th century set thinking of bankers and recession they asked themselves: What would Henry do?

The next season of The Tudorssees Henry VIII pull himself from meagre financial circumstances into great wealth through his reform of the churches, Kevin Moriarty of Ardmore Studios explained as the group passed through the throne room.

With Henry's economic strategy not offering any answers, none of the backbenchers dared to try out the gilded wooden seat.

However, a chain which a king would have awarded to his subjects was tried on by Fianna Fáil TD MJ Nolan. The heavier the chain, the more a king thought of you, designer Joan Bergin explained to Nolan.

Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil TD Mattie McGrath discussed the finer points of a leather and velvet costume with another designer.

The politicians were quickly brought back to reality with clips of Bertie Ahern presenting the Road to Crokerand Eddie Hobbs in Rip off Republicin the the screen producers' presentation.