Fair City star Bryan Murray has hit out at critics of the popular RTE soap.
Murray, 69, says he pays no attention to those who criticise the show and claims that they are secretly fans.
Bryan, who joined the show in 2005 has played Bob Charles for the past fourteen years and insists that the show is an Irish institution.
According to RTE figures, around 500,000 viewers tune in to each episode of the show.
Speaking to the Irish Sun, he said: "Fair City is part of the fabric of Irish society. It’s great we have a show that’s been on for 30 years.
“What’s great is that it gives work to our wonderful writers, directors, producers and most importantly our actors.
“I was asked to come back (from the UK) to be in Fair City. I thought it would be for a short run.
“Then it went on and on. I love Bob Charles so much. He can be an idiot, a thicko and a decent man some time.
“It’s great to be working with your partner (Una Crawford) as well and having that going on.”
Speaking about critics of the show, Bryan said: “It comes with the patch really. ‘Oh I never look at it..but I did enjoy the scene’. I think ‘Well you were looking at it last night’.
“People are people, we love them all, but people tell porkie pies. The ratings don’t lie. That’s the reason for the major reaction from people all over the place.”
