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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Entertainment
Nick Bramhill

Father Ted star Pauline McLynn initially struggled to land parts after series ended

It's the ageless Channel 4 sitcom which made her a household name.

But Father Ted star Pauline McLynn has admitted she initially struggled to land parts just after the award-winning series came to an end - because she was so much younger in real life than her on-screen character, Mrs Doyle.

McLynn, 60, was in her early 30s when she started playing the ageing, tea-obsessed Craggy Island housekeeper.

Read More: 'She went out the gap' - Father Ted star Pauline McLynn pays tribute after death of mother

And she nailed the role so convincingly, that casting directors were shocked to discover she looked nothing like the obsessive housekeeper when she arrived for auditions.

Father Ted (Channel 4)

The Sligo-born actress recalled: "They'd [casting directors] say, 'We'll have the old lady from Father Ted,' and I'd go in and they'd do a double-take.

"They'd say, 'No, not her, the older one.' So I never got the job."

Meanwhile, McLynn has teamed up once again with former Father Ted co-star Ardal O'Hanlon for new Sky comedy series, 'Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything'.

The Irish pair will play married parents in the black comedy, while musical star Sheridan Smith stars as the titular character, who attempts to give up her many addictions.

And in an interview with the Radio Times, McLynn assured viewers they are in for a treat when the series kicks off on Sky Comedy and Now next Wednesday.

She added: "You need a broadcaster and a production company to be brave sometimes to make shows. Sky and Hartswood Films [the show's production company] have championed 'Rosie Molloy' and they have a show to be enormously proud of."

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