Al Porter responds to backlash at his slot in All Together Now line-up: ‘I’m trying to do things right’

Festival organisers last week disabled comments on their Instagram post announcing the comedy acts, which includes Porter’s name, after receiving backlash about the comedian’s inclusion.

He had been announced as one of the acts performing in the comedy tent at the music festival in Curraghmore Estate, Co Waterford.

Some social users had expressed their dissatisfaction with the festival’s line-up.

Comedian and broadcaster Porter (31), from Tallaght in Dublin, was a fast-rising star in Irish entertainment, but his career come to a halt in 2017 when he was accused of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behaviour.

The comedian, who is gay, has always denied the allegations and the charge against him was dropped in 2019. He has since relaunched his comedy career after spending six years out of the spotlight.

In a statement to the Irish Independent, Porter said: “Since I’ve been gigging again, sometimes there's criticism.

"Of course, I accept and understand that. It was the same when I played my first Vicar St back and that's okay. I’ve spent the last six and a half years working on being a better person and like everyone else, I’m a work in progress.

“I've worked with lots of people in comedy since I’ve been back gigging. I'm trying to do things right and anyone who has come to any of my gigs since I got back on stage knows that I address my past in every show I do.

“There's over 35,000 people going to the festival and the post has over 800 likes. I was told it got up to 10 or so negative comments. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

"Maybe whoever runs the festival's social media didn’t want other acts overshadowed by negativity and closed the comments. That’s a very human reaction I think. People can and will still discuss the line-up on their own social media.”

Porter added: “There will be individual stage times and people can decide if they'd like to hear me or not. Those who do, I look forward to us having a laugh. Those who don’t, I hope you have a great festival and enjoy the many other acts.”

All Together Now runs on the August Bank Holiday weekend, from August 1-4.

It is headlined by The National, Jorja Smith, Future Islands and James Vincent McMorrow.

Other attractions include comedian Tommy Tiernan and drag queen Panti Bliss, who will host a ‘brunch on the bandstand’.

All Together Now organisers have been contacted for comment.

This article was amended on 02/05/24 to correct an error