Earlier in the week, RTE announced that unfortunately, Miss Ireland Aoife Walsh had to bow out of Dancing with the Stars due to issues with a fractured toe.
In a statement, Walsh said, "I’m devastated to have to hang up my dancing shoes so soon, but it just wasn't meant to be this time. I want to thank RTÉ and ShinAwiL for the opportunity and their support. I’d also like to wish all my fellow contestants the very best in the competition – I’ll be watching and cheering them on every week. I’m looking forward to getting better and back on both feet again very soon. For now, the dream has ended but I live my life believing that the glass is always half full and when one door closes, another always opens."
Now it has been announced who will fill her dancing shoes, and it's Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model finalist, Alannah Beirne.
Here's the full line-up for RTE One's Dancing with the Stars
Kildare-born Alannah said, "I’m so thrilled to be joining the DWTS family – Christmas has really come early this year! I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in now and meeting the rest of the participants. And I also want to wish Aoife a speedy recovery!"
Amanda Byram and Nicky Byrne will return once again to present Dancing with the Stars while the series will run for 12 weeks from 6.30pm, Sunday 7th January. There are 11 celebrities in total pairing up with their professional dancing partners as they step out of their comfort zones and onto the dancefloor, each hoping to claim the much-coveted glitterball trophy at the end of the series.
Each pairing will have a different dancing genre to master every week from the Paso Doble to the waltz and they’ll have just seven days to perfect their routine before performing live to the nation.
Also returning this year is the expert panel of judges - Brian Redmond, Loraine Barry and Julian Benson. Once again the celebrities and their dancers will be scored by the judges and the viewing public at home.
All contestants will be safe for the first two shows but following that, one celeb and their dancing partner will leave the competition each week until the final on Sunday 25th March.
