RTÉ have finally unveiled the eleven stars that will be fighting it out on the dancefloor for the first three months of 2017 in the national broadcaster's (yes, you paid for this) premiere season of 'Dancing with the Stars'.
Sports commentator Des Cahill, Kerry footballer Aidan O’Mahony, reporter and patron saint of storms Teresa Mannion, Big Brother's Hughie Maughan, comedian Katherine Lynch, TV and real life doc Dr. Eva Orsmond, international model Thalia Heffernan, and former HomeTown boybander Dayl Cronin will all be trying to cha-cha, mambo and tango their way across our screens come the new year.
They join the previously announced Des Bishop, 'Fair City' and 'The Fall' actress Aoibhin Garrihy, and 'Red Rock' and 'Love/Hate' actress Denise McCormack, who will all be aiming to dance their way to glitterball glory from January until the final on March 26th.
Here's what each of the stars dancing had to say about being in the competition.
Dr. Eva Orsmond: "I am extremely lucky to have an opportunity like this and it could not have come at a better time in my life. I have always wanted to learn to dance and to really focus my time on it but I have never had the time. It’s like a dream come true!"
Des Cahill: "I have very little dance experience so my dancing shoes definitely need a polishing, but I am really looking forward to giving it my best shot! Although as the oldest and heaviest in the competition I might be at a slight disadvantage."
Aidan O’Mahony: "I'm delighted to be taking part in Dancing with the Stars, this will be my first time & probably last time ever doing something like this. I'm looking forward to having a laugh & more importantly giving the public a laugh, I've never danced in my life which will be obvious to see on the live shows & I know switching from the green grass to the ballroom floor will not be an easy transition especially as I have two lefts pegs on me & not a step in the world!!!!Here's to a couple of weeks of absolute carnage on the dance floor!!!"
Teresa Mannion: "Taking part in this show is truly a gift. Learning to dance gets you out of your head and into the very essence of your being. The effort, the frustration, the repetition are all worth it for the sheer joy it brings. From now on I'm going to take a little time out to dance every day!"
Hughie Maughan: "I'm really looking forward to the challenge of Dancing with the Stars. You never know, I could be the new Patrick Swayze or I could look as rubbish as a cat on ice skates. Either way I am going to bring the fun to the show."
Katherine Lynch: "I am scared shitless! I am the proud owner of two left feet and they have a very dysfunctional relationship. Dancing is one of my greatest fears so it’s great to be able to finally face it!"
Thalia Heffernan: "I am so excited about participating in the show. I get to test my mettle in other disciplines – I enjoy any chance to dance and this is an opportunity to show the real me."
Dayl Cronin: "I am used to dancing a bit on stage but this is a totally different ball game. Our style is a bit more hip hop and this show is all about ballroom and Latin which are totally alien to me! I’m really looking forward to the challenge and, hopefully, I can do well."
Des Bishop: "I absolutely cannot wait for January. I can’t think of a better way to spend the next few months – if I last that long! At my age, to learn something completely new like ballroom dancing is an amazing opportunity."
Aoibhin Garrihy: "I am so delighted to be involved in the very first Irish Dancing with the Stars in all its glittering glory! As an actor, the opportunity to learn a completely new art form in a very short space of time is both an exciting and nerve-racking concept. So far, the experience has been amazing and I'm really enjoying every minute of it. Here's to a delightful few months of dancing!"
Denise McCormack: "I am thrilled to be taking part in Dancing with the Stars. It’s such a privilege. I have always loved dancing and I did a bit as a kid but to learn it professionally is a whole new challenge."
So there you have it. 'Dancing with the Stars', hosted by Amanda Byram and Nicky Byrne, kicks off on Sunday January 8th on RTÉ One, with a preview show, 'Can't Stop Dancing', hosted by Bláthnaid Treacy starting on Friday January 6th at 8.30pm on RTÉ One if you simply can't wait that long.
No word yet on our judges but all we can do is hope and pray to every god going that both Twink and Linda Martin are on that panel.
