‘Presidential’ Duffy says no to Dancing With The Stars
FIRST it was Dancing Des Cahill. Next it was the Marty Party. Now the Mail can reveal that this year’s ‘dad dancer’ on Dancing With The Stars is Jiving John Creedon.
A show insider confirmed that the TV host and RTÉ Radio 1 DJ will join the line-up for series three in January.
And actress Clelia Murphy – best known for playing Niamh in Fair City – has been officially announced as the sixth star who will sashay her way onto our screens.
She joins former Miss Ireland Holly Carpenter and comedian Fred Cooke along with stylist Darren Kennedy, TV host Mairéad Ronan, Eilish O’Carroll of Mrs Brown’s Boys for the show’s kickoff on January 6.
A further five new names are expected to be released by RTÉ over the coming weeks.
Creedon, who is based in Cork, is known for his late night RTÉ Radio 1 music programme, but not for his dancing. And according to one show insider the popular host took a small bit of convincing before signing up.
‘John is probably the nicest person in the business. He has a deep love of music and has a soft spot for everything from Buddy Holly to Elvis right up to the Killers. He loves a bit of a boogie behind closed doors but this is a whole other level,’ the source said
‘He wasn’t certain at first but when it came down to it he knows that it is a great opportunity to step out of his comfort zone, try something new and maybe get a bit fitter.’
Ex-Fair City star Clelia quit the show last year after 22 years of playing Niamh and she said she was in ‘shock’ that she agreed to do Dancing With The Stars.
She remarked: ‘It’s unlike anything I’ve ever done before and that’s exactly why it makes it so beautifully terrifying and thrilling all at the same time.
‘I’m sorry now that I didn’t stick with dance classes as a child. I’m normally dressed from head to toe in black and I’m finding myself in a glorious rainbow sea of glitter and sequins and Spanx! I’m so far out of my comfort zone but I kind of love it.’
Jennifer Zamparelli and Nicky Byrne will join forces this year to present the new series. Also returning is the panel of judges, Brian Redmond, Loraine Barry and Julian Benson.