Helen O'Hara
@oharaviolin
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Dexys Midnight Runners, Dexys, Tanita Tikaram, Tim Burgess. ‘What’s She Like’ - a memoir by Helen O’Hara - available now!
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Off to see my Mum (100!) today who’s just home from being in hospital for a few days. Here she is in 1982 enjoying the party after Dexys London Shaftesbury Theatre show. She still always asks after everyone I’ve worked with & is interested in what’s new.
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Summer 82 I was asked to join Dexys - before Eileen was a hit and when Dexys were broke. I turned down a full time orchestral job to do so. The 2022 remixed Too-Rye-Ay is how Dexys sounded. It’s why I joined the group.
#TooRyeAy
#WhatsSheLike
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Thrilled to be performing with Dexys at the 2022 Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony tonight! 😃🎻☀️
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I gave my last Eileen away in 1982. Something made me look through the singles in Greenwich Oxfam shop today and hey! 😀99p too 💪
Such a beautiful sleeve - by Pete Barrett
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A photo I thought I’d lost turned up last night. 📷 Harry Goodwin
#DexysMidnightRunners
#TooRyeAy
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My Mum is 100 today! My niece took this picture this morning. She was a nurse in London in the war & I’m 1 of her 7 children. Sadly can’t be with her today as she lives in Bristol but some social distancing celebrations have been planned! 😃💐🍾🎂🎁☀️
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A very Happy Birthday to the inspirational Kevin Rowland x
(Photo - Ireland 1983)
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A shot from the day we filmed the ‘Come On Eileen’ video
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Dexys were asked to record & perform a Xmas song for TV (1982). Kevin chose Slade’s classic. I love our version as much as Slade’s. DEXY'S MIDNIGHT RUNNERS - MERRY CRHISTMAS EVERYONE LIVE ON STAGE AGY - YouTube
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I’ve had a great week rehearsing Too-Rye-Ay songs with Dexys for a SKY Arts special. Looking forward to the concert 🎻💚
#TooRyeAyAsItShouldHaveSounded
#DexysMidnightRunners
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Over the moon to announce this! 🎻
NEW TITLE: We are beyond delighted to announce a new acquisition: What’s She Like: A Memoir by
@oharavioin
, the first memoir by a member of Dexys Midnight Runners. It’s beautiful. Acquisition details here:
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Sky Arts Classic Album series starts Friday 30th June 10pm with Dexys Midnight Runners ‘Too-Rye-Ay’.
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Some have been asking. I left
#Dexys
a year ago. I’m not involved in their new album or forthcoming promotion/tour. My last show playing with Dexys was Too-Rye-Ay for SkyArts which will be shown at a later date. I wish Dexys all the very best for the future. Love, Helen x 🎻☀️
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A couple of polaroids I picked up around that time and the band shot.
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Tonight at 10pm a new series on Sky Arts (Freeview) starts. Dexys perform songs from Too-Rye-Ay. Filmed at Outernet, London, November 2022. Plus an interview with Kevin about TRA.
#TooRyeAy
#DexysMidnightRunners
🎻
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'If you ever put your faith in Dexys, this book will confirm you were right to. Intense, emotional, but never overwritten.' Bob Stanley
Thank you so much!
@rocking_bob
Out 1st October 2022
Advance copies from
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Twitter friends - despite 2 vax, booster, masks, being cautious etc I got covid. Spent a week in bed. 🤒 On the mend now 😃 Take care out there! 😷 xx
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What a party! Fab night. Thank you Tim. Thank you Kevin. Thank you everyone for listening! 😃 lots of love 🎻 xx
#TimsTwitterListeningParty
@Tim_Burgess
@DexysOfficial
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So lovely to play this again. Last time was when Dexys recorded it in 1986. I love our duo version too ☺️
A song that you might recognise, that was written by Helen
@oharaviolin
( and Kevin Rowland and Billy Adams)
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Loving Dexys new Eileen film ❤️ I had a great day dancing and giggling!
#Dexys
#ComeOnEileen
#TooRyeAy
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A few years ago I picked up my violin after a 23 year break. I never imagined I’d have a year like this one! Thank you for reading my memoir, listening to the music and coming to shows and book events 🙏 😊 Wishing everyone happiness & good health in 2023. Love, Helen x 🎻🧡☀️
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An extraordinary photo inside a violin. Looks like some of the clubs I played when I started out 🎻
Inside a 250 year old French Violin. Photographed with a Medical Laparoscope adapted to a Lumix G9ii Camera. A 1770 violin by Augustin Chappuy.
#music
#art
#photography
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Good morning! 😃🎻☀️
TOO RYE AY AS IT COULD HAVE SOUNDED - UK TOUR 2022
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Beyond proud to have been part of DSMD. Amazing working with Kevin and Billy. Thanks again Tim
@Tim_Burgess
. Thanks Kevin. Thank you everyone for listening. Lots of love xxxx
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Happy 70th birthday to Seb Shelton, my brother-in-law, former drummer for Dexys Midnight Runners and founder of Dexys Tea Club 🥁🎂🫖☀️
#TooRyeAy
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Kevin Billy and me worked together for months on this album. Day after day. Extraordinary patience cos we knew it was so special it had to be right. No compromise. We were a really close unit. We never had an argument.
#TimsTwitterListeningParty
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My graduation day Kev, 1982. And just finished playing a college concert there. Everyone thinks I’m off to play in in the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra. I officially joined Dexys that week!🎻
It’s seen far, far better days but just like Elton John the former Que Club is dill danding
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‘Too-Rye-Ay’ was released on this day in 1982. I’d just left college. No violins on ‘I’ll Show You’. Stepping aside to listen & watch the band play was always a reminder why I had fallen for & joined Dexys Midnight Runners. This is the 2022 re-mix version.
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Fantastic to see
@KevinAdams
tonight at
@Tim_Burgess
show. The last time we met up was in 1992!!!
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I played this song 3 times yesterday. I thought there was something very beautiful about it. I’ve now read what the song is about 🧡 (see article). Good luck to John Lydon & Public Image Ltd.
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I’m sad to hear this news. Such a kind and lovely man and a great writer. I met Fred in 1990 after I’d left Dexys, to ask if he’d help me write my bio and a press release for my solo album. He insisted that he’d only accept a cup of coffee for his work ❤️
I am very sad to report that the brilliant Fred Dellar has passed away. Fred was a funny, kind man whose knowledge of music, expressed in NME and his Fred Fact column in Q, was second to none. If you knew Fred and would like to send a card to his family, please message me.
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I love this shot performing ‘The Celtic Soul Brothers’. That’s my son
@BillyStookes
🥁🧡 The song is older than he is. 📸 Keith MacDonald
#SkyArts
#Dexys
#TooRyeAy
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Another cartoon - from Viz earlier this year - Dexys Midnight Runners adventures in Cornwall ⛵️🌊👻🎻
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DEXYS MIDNIGHT RUNNERS - MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE LIVE ON STAGE AGY
I'll always love this! Recording and performing Slade's song was the perfect end to 1982 for me. Great song and a brilliant arrangement by Kevin🎄
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Looking forward to
#TimsTwitterListeningParty
this Sunday 23rd May @ 9pm with
@tanita_tikaram
and her brilliant debut album Ancient Heart. It’s amazing that Tanita was just a teenager when she wrote and recorded these great songs!Very proud to have played on Good Tradition 🎻
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Happy release day to ‘Too-Rye-Ay As It Should Have Sounded’ by Dexys Midnight Runners - the remixed album from 1982. Delighted that everyone can hear this now and hope you love it too 😊 The 1982 live Shaftesbury Theatre concert has also been remixed and it’s 👌
#TooRyeAy
🎻🎻🎻
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Apparently it’s my Twitter anniversary today! What better way to celebrate with
#TimsTwitterListeningParty
Dexys ‘Don’t Stand Me Down’ album tonight at 10pm UK. Can’t wait 🎻😃
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Tanita & me in Colorado on a day off on her US Ancient Heart tour 1989.
#TimsTwitterListeningParty
@tanita_tikaram
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Brilliant photo taken in 1982 by Kevin Cummins
@KCMANC
I’m pretty certain the song was ‘Respect’
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Two absolute legends. Monday night was special for lots of reasons, one being that it was the first time I had performed with
@JamesMPaterson1
since 1982 - my first show with Dexys for a Radio 1 concert in Newcastle. 40 years ago!
#CelticSoulBrothers
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Dexys all set for the
@birminghamcg22
Closing Ceremony
@FamousTimes
@DexysOfficial
#Jim
@BillyStookes
#ComeOnEileen
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39 years ago I started working with
@DexysOfficial
leading a double life in my post grad year
@BirmCons
Here’s some photos from
@NME
& Record Mirror from my first show with Dexys which was recorded for Radio 1 in Newcastle. Unfortunately I don’t know the photographers to credit.
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Mini test shot I kept from the Too Rye Ay sleeve/publicity photo session 1982
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Dear twitter friends. Thank you so much for your lovely comments following the announcement of my book ‘What’s She Like’. I’m sorry if I haven’t replied to you all. I’m rather overwhelmed! X
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To celebrate
#InternationalWomensDay
I’d like to give away a signed/dedicated copy of my memoir
#WhatsSheLike
🎻
RT to win! The winner will be picked at random this Saturday. UK posting only.
#InternationalWomensDay2023
🧡
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There’s been lots of love for Too-Rye-Ay & Don’t Stand Me Down on twitter today. Thanks everyone! 😊🧡
#DexysMidnightRunners
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Thanks everyone for the lovely comments about the Dexys Too-Rye-Ay show last night
@SkyArts
🙏🧡🧡🧡It’s showing again tomorrow/Sunday evening at 10.45pm
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The rehearsals for this album though. It shows. The band was so tight. We knew every song inside out
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Very sad to hear Mick Bolton has died. Mick played piano with Dexys on The Waltz on Don’t Stand Me Down & Hammond on the Coming To Town tour. One of the kindest & gentlest people. We’d got back in touch last year - he was as lovely as ever. Sending love to his family. RIP Mick xx
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Thought about what you said last night a lot today. Thanks Sue. Dexys was the best job in the world! 😄🎻
#TimsTwitterListeningParty
Too-rye-ay
@oharaviolin
@richardcave100
@Tim_Burgess
@DexysOfficial
Can't overstate how influential you were to us young girls watching
#TOTP
, Helen! Playing violin with Dexys looked like the best job in the world. Really powerful to have a talented young woman being central to the band, and not just seen as a token female. 🙌
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And me! It’s in the diary 😃
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The last in the poster series. This b/w shot is from the ‘Knowledge of Beauty’ film. Approx 70x50cm. RT if you’d like it! Winner picked at random on Monday. UK posting only.
#DexysMidnightRunners
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Wishing everyone a very happy 2022 ✨ & sending lots of love ❤️ Here are a few of the many fab times I had in 2021 🎻 Lots to look forward to next year!
#Dexys
#TooRyeAy
@Tim_Burgess
@KevinAdams
@tanita_tikaram
@thenitinsawhney
@markcharlatan
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Here are a couple of photos I took of Tanita in her dressing rooms on her 1st Ancient Heart tour in 1988
#TimsTwitterListeningParty
@tanita_tikaram
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Dexys Midnight Runners - Sometime Theme via
@YouTube
From the 12’’ record. I improvised over the backing track of ‘Because of You ‘ for the BBC to use extracts as incidental music for the ‘Brush Strokes’ sitcom series. It’s joyful! 🎻
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I love Reminisce (Part2) more and more over the years. 3 chords. 2 songs. Gorgeous
#TimsTwitterListeningParty
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Black Sabbath were the first band I saw - age 14. Never in a million years would I have thought I’d be in band opening the
@birminghamcg22
Closing Ceremony with Sabbath the final act ❤️😎 Just amazing 😊
#Dexys
#ComeOnEileen
What a way to bring it all to an end!
Thank you, Birmingham. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
@ozzyosbourne
@tonyiommi
@wakemanofficial
#B2022
#ClosingCeremony
#CommonwealthGames
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After months of auditioning drummers Kevin and me heard Tim Dancy with Al Green at the Albert Hall. I suggested to K that Tim was our man. I phoned legend producer Willie Mitchell who gave me Tim’s number
#TimsTwitterListeningParty
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What's She Like: A memoir by Helen O'Hara🎻
Pre-orders are open now. Advance copies will be signed and numbered.
Pre-order yours here
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Excellent article. One of a few reasons I stopped playing 🎻 in 1991 for 23 yrs was that I felt old, as discussed in my memoir
#WhatsSheLike
Jagger was considered old in 1982. This week I’ve heard Nile Rodgers & Tom Jones perform live. Both superb 💪🏻
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Xmas day,1982, in Bristol at my mum’s house with the family - pictured here with my sister Liz. It had been quite a year! All that and more in my memoir
#WhatsSheLike
Signed copies from 🎻💥
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The line up who performed in Jack Hazan’s films. Tim replaced Duane for the tour
#TimsTwitterListeningParty
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I’ve had such an inspiring 5 days playing 🎻 on
@tanita_tikaram
‘s new album of gorgeous, groovy soulful songs 🔥🧡 & working with producer Andy Monaghan, accordionist
@glowacki92
and cellist
@MusicZosia
Can’t wait to hear the final mixes ☀️
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I was passing, so it had to be done! 📷
#BrooksBrothers
#NewYork
#DontStandMeDown
#DexysMidnightRunners
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Very excited to be in New York. First time back since 89/90 when I was playing with Tanita Tikaram 🗽😎☀️
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Kevin created the unique Emerald Express sound. He said play like the brass, play hard,no vibrato as a section,use open strings.
#TimsListeningParty
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It must be decades since I was in Newcastle! Loving the river and bridges. Looking forward to tonight playing 🎻with
@Tim_Burgess
@RiversideNCL
with
@deanmuncie_
and
@tomasmithmusic
supporting.
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Farewell Robbie Robertson & thank you for all your music 🧡
I played this song so much when it was released. I’ve just read (thanks
@Sue_Charles
) that Scorsese directed the video & the story behind the song.
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Dexys ‘Don’t Stand Me Down’
#timstwitterlisteningparties
Friday 10th at 10pm UK. Photo is from the ‘Coming To Town’ tour. Vincent Crane, Mick Bolton & Tim Dancy who played on the album are in the picture.
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When Billy & I work together it’s with the same professionalism as with any musician. But when I asked Billy how he’d like me to sign my book for him, he said ‘Mum, please’ ❤️ 🎻🥁
#WhatsSheLike
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The Waltz. Woody Woodmansey - Spider from Mars - on drums. Mick Bolton on piano. Mick played Hammond on the tour. Tim on drums for tour.
#TimsTwitterListeningParty
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I met Tanita through ‘Good Tradition’. Her manager at the time had been Dexys agent for the Too-Rye-Ay tours. He sent me a demo of GT asking if I’d write a 🎻 part & record it. I loved Tanita’s voice & the song so naturally I said yes!
#TimsTwitterListeningParty
@tanita_tikaram
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Thank you for the messages and lovely words. I’m really touched 😊🧡xx
Some have been asking. I left
#Dexys
a year ago. I’m not involved in their new album or forthcoming promotion/tour. My last show playing with Dexys was Too-Rye-Ay for SkyArts which will be shown at a later date. I wish Dexys all the very best for the future. Love, Helen x 🎻☀️
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Such sad news. RIP Steve Harley 🧡
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Sharing some wonderful & happy news! My son Jack married Leah yesterday 💕Two beautiful & inspiring people.
@JStookes
@leahsams
@PowerOfWomenNFT
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I meant to post this last night at
#TimsTwitterListeningParty
Dexys 'Don't Stand Me Down'. It's from Dexys 'Coming To Town' tour 1985 - whole band and most of crew with our backdrop of a bridge over the Thames. Big thanks to
@MICKBOLTON1
for another great photo.
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Wising everyone a very happy, healthy and peaceful 2024.
Lots of love, Helen x 🧡
📷
@NatachaHorn
A wall in Kaunas
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Pinching myself! What an amazing day! 😃🤸♂️
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Thrilled that my memoir will soon be available via
@GreenwichLibs
I’ll be celebrating with an interview/reading/Q&A/book signing on
#InternationalWomensDay
March 8th 1pm
@WoolwichLibrary
where
#WhatsSheLike
will be available to borrow/buy 📚
#GreenwichLibraries
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After the demo I rehearsed once with Dexys by myself then Kevin asked me find 2 other violins and I brought Steve and Roger along 🎻🎻🎻
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Tanita asked me to mime the oboe for Twist on TOTPs. I’d no idea how to play it but I knew how to play the recorder so used that method! 😂 really hoping no oboe players were watching!
@KateStJohn5
😉 I thought I gave quite an authentic performance!!
#TimsTwitterListeningParty
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A brilliant read! I’ve enjoyed this so much. A fascinating, endearing story with great anecdotes & interviews. On Don - ‘… he would stand over me when I was mixing wearing a ‘MORE DRUMS’ T-shirt’ 💪🏻 😂 Huge love & respect to Slade. Congratulations
@LordWakering
🌟👏🏻
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