In tandem with presenting the Fame Game I had been writing a weekly fashion column in the Evening Herald. The producers of the Fame Game were also producing Off the Rails and knew of my interest in fashion. When the Fame Game season was finished, the two original presenters of Off the Rails were leaving, so they suggested I audition and interviewed which I did, and was thrilled to work on the show as I love fashion.

Caroline's latest role in I, Keano sees her returning to acting where she takes on the role of Surfia. "Getting the role of Surfia was one of those amazing serendipitous, right place right time, 'meant to be' scenarios. I had been keeping the head down, working hard, doing presenting and other projects and like a lot of things in life acting was something I had wanted to get back into but just didn't seem to have the time to explore it.

"I had been working on a show before Christmas called It's My Show and it was directed by Peter Sheridan. I had really enjoyed the experience of working and chatting with Peter as he is an amazing director with such a wealth of experience and knowledge. The day after the filming for It's My Show ended Peter phoned me to say that he had met some people the night before and that I should expect a call. All very mysterious. It transpired that he had been dining with the producers of I, Keano and had mentioned me to them. They were coincidentally looking for a new female lead and asked if I could sing. Peter had never even heard me sing but said yes absolutely. So they called and invited me to audition.

"She is a weapon," Caroline says when describing the role. "It is great fun to play her. She's utterly two faced and tolerates her husband only in so far as she views him as a means to her getting power and prestige.

"There is a fondness between the two of them but she is completely exasperated by his idiocy throughout the play. I play the only female character so I dilute all that testosterone."

And what of the infamous Saipan incident that inspired the production - almost everyone had an opinion – pro-Keane or pro-McCarthy – was that the case with Caroline? "I had no interest," she admits. "At the time the story broke we were on a boat on our way to the south of France. My brother and my dad wanted the boat to turn back so they could follow the coverage though, but no I didn't have an opinion on it either way.

"I'm not a fan of football but there is a lot of drama around it, and I'm a fan of the drama. Its like a soap opera. Having said that, when the world cup was on I remember being in Thailand and setting my alarm to get up at 3am to watch Ireland play so I'd have an interest in the World Cup but forget it again for another four years."

While Caroline might not take an active interest in footballing matters, the producers certainly have, and have accordingly updated the saga to reflect recent developments, including Keane and Quinn's reconciliation at Sunderland. Maybe there's another sting in the tail and another chapter for this production yet? But for now if you are one of the few yet to experience I, Keano, this is your last opportunity to witness the spetacle.

I, Keano runs at the Cork Opera House from Saturday, February 2 until Saturday,

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