PLUS MARTY MORRISSEY: I CAN DANCE A BIT... BUT I NEED TO WORK ON MY SEX APPEAL!
GAA commentator Marty Morrissey has revealed he’s practising hard to bring some sex appeal to hit RTÉ show Dancing With The Stars.
Marty – who will have the support of his partner and family in the live audience when he takes to the floor tomorrow – also admitted he feels ‘clumsy’ and ‘awkward’.
The Clare man, 59, said: ‘I’ve to work on my toes, my posture, my frame and I certainly have to work on my sex appeal because none of it is looking good at the moment.
‘I feel clumsy, I feel awkward, I’m very nervous. But it’s an adventure and a new challenge for all of us.’
The popular TV star is paired with pro dancer Ksenia Zsikhotska, who reached last year’s semi-final with Home Town singer Dayl Cronin, and they will perform the quickstep on the opening show. Marty’s long-term girlfriend, Liz Kidney, and family will be present for his big night.
He said: ‘My mother is coming up from West Clare. And my cousins are coming. It’s nice, it’s a good excuse to get a family together. Ksenia is simply brilliant, to be honest.’
And when it comes to the ‘Strictly curse’, Marty is confused as to where these leaping Lotharios find the time for love. He said: ‘There’s so much preparing to do, so much hard work that the last thing that would be on your mind is romance in any shape or form. You’re trying to just remember not to make an idiot of yourself.’
But fellow contestant Anna Geary, All-Ireland-winning Cork camogie star and former Cork Rose of Tralee – who is dancing with professional Kai Widdrington – can understand why some succumb to the curse.
‘I will say that you can see if two single people were in that space, it’s a very intimate surrounding,’ she said.
However, she added: ‘I’m in a very happy relationship, I’m not going to run off with a dancer.’
And in news that will no doubt sadden impressionist Mario Rosenstock, Marty won’t be getting tangoed by the beauty department this week.
‘I’m not getting a spray tan, I’m getting just a bit of make-up because for the quickstep it’s different,’ said the host of The Marty Squad.
The TV presenter has already been compared to last year’s contestant and fellow sports broadcaster Des Cahill – and hopes he can follow in his awkward footsteps.
He said: ‘I think everybody fell in love with Des last year.
‘He had a great line, he rang me and he said, “I think you should do it. Look, I could hardly move. You have to be better than me surely.” He was very encouraging. If I could do half as good and last a couple of weeks, I’d be happy out.’
Dancing with the Stars kicks off tomorrow on RTÉ One at 6.30pm. Judge Julian Benson will miss the first two shows as he is unwell and will be replaced by guest judge and creative director Darren Bennett.
‘I’m not getting a spray tan’