Dancing with the Presenters
Jennifer and Doireann to head side of celebs for team contest
JENNIFER Zamparelli has admitted she “hasn’t slept a wink” as she and Doireann Garrihy are set to face off on Dancing With The Stars.
RTE has announced a major twist in Sunday’s show where the hosts will go toe-to-toe on the dance floor.
Both presenters will take part in the competition’s annual Team Dance, each captaining a side of celebrities and their professional partners.
Jennifer, 43, said: “This week is going to be a week to remember! I haven’t slept a wink. I’m absolutely terrified about falling on my backside and I really don’t want to let the team down.
“It’s a lot of pressure but it’s an opportunity not to be missed!
“I mean, to put ourselves in the dancers’ shoes for two minutes? It’s going to be a lot of fun and I’ll be knocking up to Brian Redmond during this week to make sure he hasn’t forgotten how to use that 10 paddle.”
Doireann, 31, shared her feelings on her competitive dance debut, saying: “I am equal parts terrified and absolutely buzzing. If Arthur isn’t screaming something about crumpets, I’ll have failed miserably. I’m ready to give it socks. Roll on Sunday – bring it on Jen.”
The dances will be scored by the judges; Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond and Arthur Gourounlian. For the couples, the goal is to improve their position on the leader board in the quarter-final, but for Jennifer and Doireann, it’s purely for bragging rights.
The first team will be made up of Wild Youth star, David Whelan and his pro partner Salome Chachua, Paralympian Jason Smyth and his partner Karen Byrne and TV and radio presenter Laura Fox and her partner
Denys Samson. They will be known as the “Party Animals” and will be joined by captain Jennifer and her partner for the night Robert Rowinski.
They will dance to the song, A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got) by Fergie, Q-tip & Goonrock.
The second team will consist of drag superstar Blu Hydrangea and their partner Simone Arena, former jockey Davy Russell and his partner Kylee Vincent, and TV presenter Katja Mia and her partner Ervinas Merfeldas.
They will be known as the “Dancing Divas” and will be on the floor captained by Doireann, alongside pro dancer Montel Hewson. They will dance to the song Electric
Energy by Ariana Debose, Boy George and Nile Rogers.
Everything will be to play for as each team will be scored as normal by the judges for the Team Dances with their team score added to their overall individual score.
Off the back of earning the first perfect score of the season, Blu and Simone will dance Quickstep to Beyonce’s current number one single, Texas Hold ’Em.
Following their win in last week’s dreaded dance-off, Katja and Ervinas will be hoping to avoid it for a second time as they dance Salsa to Mandinga’s tropical version of Dua Lipa’s Levitating.
Other routines on the night will include Jason and Karen dancing Jive to Runaway by Onerepublic and Laura and Denys performing a Charleston to Do Your Thing by Basement Jaxx.
Davy and Kylee will perform a Chacha-cha to the Michael Buble and Jason Derulo hit Spicy Margarita and David and Salome dance Paso Doble to the Led Zepplin classic, Whole Lotta Love.
DWTS continues on RTE One and RTE Player this Sunday at 6.30pm.
I am equal parts terrified & absolutely buzzing DOIREANN GARRIHY UPCOMING DANCE