‘Look out Ireland’ - British TV star the latest to embrace Irish roots in bid for passport

The Irish passport has become one of the most sought-after travel documents in the world, and the latest British celebrity has proudly revealed they've joined the ranks.

In global passport power rankings, Ireland consistently sits near the top, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to around 190 countries. That puts it well ahead of the UK, which slipped in recent years post-Brexit.

For many, the little burgundy booklet has become a golden ticket back into the EU, and a direct route to easier travel, work and residency across Europe.

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Now, TV personality Louie Spence has revealed he's the latest to reclaim his Irish heritage, telling his 259,000 Instagram followers on Thursday that he's successfully obtained an Irish passport thanks to his grandmother's Belfast roots.

Holding the passport up to the camera, he shrieked with excitement: "I've got my Irish passport. I'm back in Europe and I'm so excited."

The former Pineapple Dance Studios star admitted many people told him he wouldn't be eligible because his grandmother was born in Belfast.

"I don't know if you remember last year, I was talking about trying to get an Irish passport because my nan was Irish, but she was from Belfast.

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"I thought, well, can I, and lots of people said you can't, because obviously Belfast is part of the UK. Well, see… I've got my Irish passport," he said.

Spence explained that Brexit was a big motivator.

"I never understood Brexit myself anyway. I haven't really seen any of the benefits that they said we were going to get from it. I like being part of a bigger community, so I'm so happy that I'm back in Europe."

Complimenting the ease of the process, he said it took about a year.

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"You have to register your birth first, you have to become a citizen, and then you can send off for the passport. But I did send off not enough paperwork so it was delayed by about three weeks.

"Any problems I had, I just rang the passport office - they were so helpful. The Irish were so helpful, efficient."

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A post shared by Louie Spence (@louiespence)

With a Spanish husband and a house abroad, Spence said the move makes travel far easier. But he also promised more time in Ireland: "So yes, look out Ireland, I'm going to be coming over - because I'm Irish. Very excited."