Jeremy Irons Abandons Irish Passport Ambitions Over Tax Concerns
Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons has made the significant decision to abandon his pursuit of Irish citizenship after discovering the substantial financial implications involved. The 77-year-old star of Reversal of Fortune, who has been married to Dublin-born actress Sinead Cusack for nearly five decades, had been considering becoming a full Irish national but has now stepped back from the process.
Financial Implications Prove Too Steep
Sinead Cusack confirmed her husband's decision at the Oldie of the Year Awards held at London's National Liberal Club, where she attended with Irons. "He tried to get an Irish passport but [it would mean] a very extreme rethink of all his tax situations, so he gave up," the actress explained. She added that they had consulted with a friend who had undergone the process and moved all tax affairs to Ireland, describing the situation as "a great shame."
The couple, who have owned a castle in County Cork for nearly thirty years, were previously dubbed "Luvvies for Labour" in 1998 after donating £5,000 to the political party for its events and activities. Irons had previously expressed frustration about the difficulty of securing an Irish passport, noting that "you used to just need an Irish wife to get a passport, but no longer."
Brexit Fuels Irish Passport Applications
Since the Brexit referendum in 2016 and the UK's subsequent departure from the European Union in 2020, there has been a notable increase in British nationals seeking Irish citizenship to regain their EU status. British nationals born in Ireland before January 1, 2005, or those with at least one parent or grandparent born on the island of Ireland, are currently eligible for Irish citizenship.
Among those pursuing Irish passports is Jeremy and Sinead's younger son, actor Max Irons. The 40-year-old star of The Riot Club, who plays Mycroft Holmes in Guy Ritchie's forthcoming Prime Video series Young Sherlock, is following through with the application process. "My boys and grandchildren are all getting Irish passports," Sinead Cusack explained. "Max hasn't sent his application in yet, but he will get the passport because I'm fully Irish."
Carol Vorderman Prepares for Cambridge Festival Talk
Meanwhile, former Countdown star Carol Vorderman is preparing to speak at the Cambridge Festival in April, with her financial security allowing her to pursue projects of personal interest. The 65-year-old mathematics expert, who earned approximately £900,000 annually during her peak television years, would be "all right financially" if she never worked again according to sources.
Her upcoming talk, entitled What Is Truth?, will address "misinformation, political spin and the erosion of shared facts" - topics with which Vorderman has personal experience. In 2023, she engaged in a six-month campaign against Tory minister Greg Hands that concluded with her deleting "22 false and defamatory tweets, videos and more" and acknowledging there had been "no impropriety on [Hands's] behalf."
Film Industry Challenges and Personal Pursuits
Elsewhere in the entertainment world, acclaimed filmmaker Sir Stephen Frears expressed concerns about the future of cinema and his own ability to secure funding for projects. The 84-year-old director of The Queen, Philomena and Victoria & Abdul revealed at the Oldie of the Year Awards that he's struggling to finance ventures including a script about legendary director Billy Wilder.
"It's so difficult to get a film made. People don't go to the cinema [any more]," Sir Stephen explained. "If you go to the cinema now, there are two or three other people sitting there – it's depressing."
Sheridan Smith's Rural Aspirations
Actress Sheridan Smith, currently starring in the West End revival of Alan Ayckbourn's Woman In Mind, has revealed her longing to return to rural life. The 44-year-old Olivier winner, who presented BBC series Pooch Perfect, recalled her time running a farm in 2018 with 16 dogs plus donkeys, horses and pigs during personal difficulties.
"I did love it," Smith recalled, noting her childhood obsession with dogs that her mother never indulged. On the Romesh Ranganathan podcast, she expressed her desire to eventually repeat the countryside experience that brought her solace during challenging times.
Concert Incident and London Nightclub Connections
In other entertainment news, Swedish heavy-metal band Avatar experienced a dangerous incident during their London performance when the stage became electrified, burning equipment and severely shocking two crew members. Lead vocalist Johannes Eckerstrom, 39, described the situation at Exhibition White City in west London as unsafe, with angry attendees demanding refunds and one fan noting online that "it's a miracle nobody died."
Meanwhile, London's Infernos nightclub in Clapham has connections to several entertainment figures, including Margot Robbie who frequented the venue before her film career took off. Former Made in Chelsea star Freddie Browne, now an ambassador at the nightclub, revealed his appearance in the fourth season of Netflix's Bridgerton, bringing aristocratic credentials from his work with Queen Camilla's late brother Mark Shand at the Elephant Family charity.
