Dustin released his
Greatest Hits album in 2001. On 4 November 2005, he released his first new single for four years, "Patricia the Stripper", a duet with
Chris de Burgh a.k.a. Christy Burger. On 11 November 2005, he then released a new album, also his first for four years, titled ''Bling When You're Minging'' (a play on the title of
Robbie Williams' 2000 album ''
Sing When You're Winning''). These albums featured backing vocals from many Irish stars including
Ronnie Drew,
Bob Geldof,
Boyzone and the late
Joe Dolan. Many of his songs are parodies of either folk songs or well known chart hits from across the decades.
Albums •
Not Just a Pretty Face (1994) •
Unplucked (1996) •
Faith of Our Feathers (1997) •
Poultry in Motion (1999) • ''Dustin's Greatest Hits'' (2001) - IRE #4 • ''Bling When You're Minging'' (2005) - IRE #8
Singles • "The Christmas No. 1" (Zig and Zag feat. Dustin the Turkey) (1990) -
IRE #1 • "Numb" (1993) • "Spanish Lady" (feat.
Ronnie Drew and
the Saw Doctors) (1994) - IRE #1 • "
Rat Trap" (with
Bob Geldof) (1996) - IRE #1 • "Christmas Tree" (1996) • "Mary" (feat.
Mary Robinson) (1997) • "Good Lookin' Woman" (with
Joe Dolan) (1997) - IRE #1 • "
Fairytale of New York" (with
Dervla Kirwan) (1997) • "
32 Counties" (1999) - IRE #1 • "Christmas in Dublin" • "
Sweet Caroline" (2001) - IRE #1 • "Patricia the Stripper" (with
Chris de Burgh) (2005) - IRE #3 • "True Christmas" • "
Fields of Athenry" • "Harrell Is a Lonely Dustin" • "
Irelande Douze Pointe" (2008) - IRE #5
Eurosong and Eurovision Song Contest 2008 Originally the favourite to win, Dustin was chosen by the Irish viewers at
Eurosong to
represent Ireland in the
2008 Eurovision Song Contest, becoming the first puppet to do so. Though it was not announced on the Eurosong show how many votes Dustin won, an RTÉ radio show later revealed that the second place had an average of 15 points, while Dustin had 23, so the public really did want to send a puppet to Eurovision. Despite it being a public vote, there was a mixed reaction from the live studio audience when the result was announced, including many audible boos. A panellist on the programme, former Eurovision winner
Dana, stated that Ireland would be better withdrawing from the competition than sending Dustin. Despite her lack of support, past Irish Eurovision entries Dickie Rock and Maxi stated their beliefs that Dustin could win. Dustin performed his song in the first semi-final on 20 May. The song contained, among other things, references to
Riverdance ("Give us another chance, we're sorry for Riverdance!") and
Michael Flatley ("Sure Flatley he's a yank"). Dustin failed to progress beyond the Eurovision semi-final. ==Political career==