The double life of Dermot Gallagher has prompted existential questions for everyone who has seen the video of his remarkable Ringsend accent.
For those reading who might not have watched the video above, there is a notable change to Gallagher that might register with an Irish audience - as he explained.
"It's because I am talking Irish people," he says of the strong Dublin accent.
"My best mate Alan Wiley gives me no end of stick because I have to crank it down for English people!
"When I first started on Sky TV, they were very conscious of the words that I couldn't pronounce. I had to watch the BBC News to try and practice!"
Dermot Gallagher reaction
Dermot Gallagher made his name as top-flight referee but has done a wonderful line in leading a Frank Abagnale-style life.
Never before have we seen so many comments to the tune of 'what the fuck' and 'my entire life has been a lie'...
Dermot Gallagher talking to Irish media / Dermot Gallagher talking to British media pic.twitter.com/AlFt5FPF8S
— Wayne Farry (@waynefarry) February 11, 2021
What. The. Fuck. https://t.co/CQoIQVF24s
— Dean Van Nguyen (@deanvannguyen) February 11, 2021
I know refs can be inconsistent but bloody hell... https://t.co/WYOhwFRi6H
— Nathan Murphy (@nathanmurf) February 11, 2021
Dermot Gallagher is definitely a spy or something. https://t.co/qnneGZN89y
— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) February 11, 2021
Phoenix Nights when Kenny Senior says ‘I think it’s really great the way you keep that Irish accent when you’re not on the Telly’ 😂 https://t.co/gR1KDMUWQC
— Gaz Warrington 🐝 (@Gazwarrington) February 11, 2021
Gallagher's actual accent is mind-blowinghttps://t.co/gJxeINB3Po
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) February 10, 2021
WHAT IS THIS DARK SORCERY??? 🤯🤯 https://t.co/obgxQmKJ9V
— Mike Fagsy Farrell (@Fagsy14) February 11, 2021
1. My mind is blown
2. The use of Hiberno English and the pronunciation of certain words with a Dublin accent ("turty tree an' a turd") isn't an illegitimate form of English, it's perfectly valid.
3. WHATTHEFUCK https://t.co/fAcgAu9kVM— FYNCH (@SimplyFYNCH) February 10, 2021
I spoke with Dermot countless times on the phone back in my @talkSPORT days and NEVER had any idea he actually sounded like this 😂😂 https://t.co/3ECjMGmEyU
— James Dodd (@JamesDoddFOX) February 10, 2021
I’ve actually had a good chat with him once. I’m amazed by this 🤯 https://t.co/qmsumSPPft
— Chris Sudworth (@kingsnoots) February 11, 2021
Where’s that accent come from 🤨 https://t.co/EmF6tQEdkf pic.twitter.com/6jBqrNXcf9
— Graham Kehoe (@KehoeG23) February 11, 2021
I spent three years trying to tone down my accent for the Brits when I lived in London. Not always successfully, I might add. I also pronounce the letter r as “arr” now, rather than “orr.” https://t.co/ejZIbJaNui
— Emma (@emmaphickey) February 11, 2021
— Zak Hardaker (@zakhardaker1) February 11, 2021
I was today years old when I realised Dermot Gallagher was a full-blown Dub with the accent and all.
I tone down my accent when talking to people outside Ireland, but this is just mental
He does a good job hiding it on TV! https://t.co/Ok6gRbeEow— Rory O'Connor (@OcoRory) February 11, 2021
Dermot Gallagher having a Dublin accent has turned my world on its head https://t.co/xJfOqmVG5W
— Jamie Mohan (@MohanJamie) February 11, 2021
Tough to take, but it seems the scoop of my career really will be Dermot Gallagher's accent
— Joe Molloy (@MolloyJoe) February 11, 2021
“As always we’ve got former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher with us this morning.” pic.twitter.com/8eQ8fkaVUE
— Andy Ha (@AndyHa_) February 11, 2021
I automatically tone down my accent on the phone at work just to be more audible. It just happens. But there’s cranking it down & there’s having an alter ego!
Why pretend to sound like you’re from Oxford sat in a studio next to Roy Keane?
Refs are weird https://t.co/S4hPNBiZ6N— Manoamano 🏴 (@Manoama89) February 11, 2021