It’s 2015 and Fade Street rumbles on into its sixth season on RTÉ 2. The show has survived many controversies and critical backlashes since it first aired back in 2010. We pick it up in modern day Dublin, with the show’s four main characters still in situ as Fade Street’s star attractions. Here’s what they’ve been up to on the show in this alternate reality:
1. The rent on the gaff on Fade Street went up so much in 2014 that the girls had to move apartment. The name of the show remained Fade Street, despite them now living in Stoneybatter.
Fade Street branding > budgetary constraints.
2. Paul moved to Australia in series 3, but returned for the series 5 Christmas special and got in a fight with some lad from Dublin.
His last moment on camera was walking away in a major sulk down the quays. Iconic.
3. Tinder has taken Fade Street by storm. Dani matched with that guy from Kid Karate and he called over to the gaff after a date. A repeat of the series 1 domestic tension ensued.
Dani was still leaving cutlery in pint glasses! Despite the new gaff in Stoneybatter having a dishwasher.
4. Even though we are into the sixth series, the names of the characters still appear when they are on screen.
5. Fade Street didn’t have the rights to cover Vogue and Brian McFadden’s wedding in 2012, but the former Westlife man became a show regular. They even filmed an ‘Australian special’ in 2013 with Louise and Dani visiting the couple down under. The special featured four extras from Neighbours as the celebrity guests.
6. Cici finally got her club night up and running in The Mercantile, and it definitely served cocktails in mason jars
7. And CiCi’s old flame Keith has become a central character, with his scenes mostly taking place in a chipper in Greystones.
8. Dani is still submitting her portfolio to the lads from Dublin Ink on a weekly basis.
“Not good enough, Dani.”
It’s been FIVE YEARS lads. Let her give somebody a tattoo.
9. And Leigh and Johnny have become minor celebrities in their own right - both DJing on the regional nightclub circuit in their spare time
10. Rumours in 2015 abounded that Ed Sheeran was dating Louise. Obviously Ed didn’t appear on Fade Street, but one of the episodes in series 6 saw ‘Thinking Out Loud’ featured prominently throughout.
A nice, subtle touch.
11. Every single new job that Louise got on the show, Melina would also conveniently be working there. It’s almost like the producers are trying to manufacture drama at every turn.
12. The theme tune has remained the same through all six seasons, despite a petition to change it being signed by 20,000 people in 2012.
“I neeeeed you mooooorrreee” etc.
13. When In-N-Out Burger came to Dublin, the producers tried valiantly to get the girls down there immediately to capitalise on the hype. But by the time they had rounded them up, the food was gone. They staged the In-N-Out scenes in the Burger King on Grafton Street instead.
All was not lost.
14. The show has attracted a loyal Twitter following every week, with the #fadestreet hashtag as the home of cutting analysis – mostly to do with notions
15. And finally… every year Louise and Vogue had to decide who got to go to Electric Picnic, and it’s constant drama
Never forget Fade Street.
