Troubled Tudors star Jonathan Rhys Meyers was forced to pull out of the IFTAs due to a "family crisis", the Herald can exclusively reveal.

The Golden Globe winner was due to be the big celebrity draw at the glitzy bash at the reopened Burlington hotel.

However, it has now emerged that a critical family emergency led to the Cork-born actor pulling the plug on the appearance.

His co-star in the Tudors -- which won six awards on Saturday -- has leapt to defend the hunky actor for missing the night.

Speaking after bagging the gong for Best Actress in a TV Role, Maria Doyle Kennedy told the Herald his absence was due to personal reasons.

"He couldn't be here because of a family thing. I can't say any more about it but I know that he was gutted he couldn't be here," she said.

Rhys Meyers wasn't the only noticeable absentee though, in a night that was woefully short of big names.

The IFTAs may be hailed as Ireland's answer to the Oscars, but the golden statuettes seem to be the only similarity between them.

More than 900 guests traipsed down the red carpet at the D4 hotel, but many star gazers were left scratching their heads wondering who half the attendees were.

Liam Neeson, Colin Farrell, Pat Kenny, Martin McDonagh, Gerry Ryan and Liam Cunningham were just some of the A-listers who weren't in attendance.

When quizzed about how he felt to be one of the few Tinseltown regulars there, Irish-American actor Aidan Quinn blamed the economy.

"There is a recession on I guess -- that's just the way it goes sometimes," said the Michael Collins star.

Another star who jetted in for the bash was Ugly Betty actor Eric Mabius, who plays gorgeous Daniel Meade in the hit soap.

He revealed his relief after presenting an award on stage that he "didn't fall or drop the statue or went out with my flies undone".

The star also went on to say how, contrary to expectations, Victoria Beckham was a pleasure to work with when she had a guest stint on the hit show.

"It was the same thing when Lindsay Lohan came on the show -- everyone wanted the dirt on her but she was very attentive. She was a professional, she turned up prepared and was very impressive," he explained.

There were a few laughs towards the end of the ceremony, though, when mouthy comedian Tommy Tiernan got in his tuppence worth. He took to the stage shortly before midnight and set the tone by comparing the curvy statuettes to "a little gold Miriam O'Callaghan -- and that's a compliment by the way".

He continued: "I'd just like to commend anyone still watching at home.

"This is nearly as long as Self Aid with Christy Moore singing I can Dig a Hole. Well Christy, the hole is f***ing dug, how's about a ladder."

And despite TV3 snubbing the awards, the station still emerged victorious after The Apprentice won the Best Entertainment for TV category.

Producer Larry Bass of Shinawil said he was delighted to have trounced his competition.

"I'm shocked," he told the Herald. "I never thought we'd win. I always thought the whole TV3 and RTE thing would get in the way, but it shows we should be doing three or four of these kind of original shows every year," he said.

Series producer Lynda McQuaid said the victory proved they could really "put it up to the big guys, namely RTE".

Naturally, Bill Cullen and partner Jackie Lavin said they were thrilled with the win and revealed how the new series would start filming again in May.

Meanwhile, there was no shortage of glamour among our local ladies who did their very best to up the ante in the glamour stakes.

Axed

Although they axed the award she won last year, RTE presenter Kathryn Thomas showed up in a Temperley creation.

And in true recession fashion, she admitted she had worn if a few years ago.

"I actually won an award for being the best dressed on the night of the VIP Style Awards a few years ago, but I've had it about six years," she said.

Looking very grown up for her tender years was Oscar-nominee Saoirse Ronan, who turned up looking very stylish in a full-length Leigh Tucker dress.

But although she is about to shoot a new movie with Colin Farrell in Bulgaria called The Way Back, she ruled out ever having a crush on the hunk.

"I hate when people ask me that," she said. "I know he's a heart-throb or whatever, but I don't see him like that. I just see him as a very good actor and one I love working with."

Making her first public appearance since announcing the split from hubbie Glen Mulcahy was Sile Seoige. Accompanied by her older sister, Grainne, she said that she was "doing great" despite her recent troubles.

Also turning heads was TV presenter Amanda Byram in a gorgeous Joanne Hynes creation, who arrived with her Aussie rugby boyfriend Craig McMullen.

And she said she had no problem spending Valentine's Day at the Burlo.

"I actually don't do Valentine's Day, I never have. I always used to just get drunk on a box of red wine with my best pal! I was never into it," she laughed.

Cocktail

Once the serious business was out of the way, everyone retired to the adjacent Bellini cocktail bar for the aftershow party.

However, there was some grumblings among attendees that they had to splash out for their own booze in the bar, despite having bought tickets for the event.

mfinn@herald.ie

- Melanie Finn