TRANS ROW EURO SONG BOSS AXED

Wild Youth 'cut all ties' with creative director | Band cut ties with choreographer over his online transgender views

- SANDRA MALLON

RTE'S Irish Eurovision bid was rocked last night by a row over transgender rights.

Wild Youth cut ties with their creative director over online comments allegedly made by him.

The band consisting of Conor O'Donohue, David Whelan, Ed Porter and Callum McAdam - are hoping for success in Liverpool next month with their song We Are One.

But the group said it has parted ways with Ian Banham, who was only hired in February, just weeks before the semifinals on May 9- saying they do not want the choreographer "near our team or Eurovision journey".

A spokesman for RTE added: "Ian Banham is no longer a member of Ireland's Eurovision 2023 team. RTE won't be making any further comment.

The row has erupted after a series of Banham's posts on transgender rights were highlighted by a social media watchdog group.