It’s Jennifer Sambarelli!
She began as an Apprentice but Jen is set to sparkle as Nicky’s new lead on RTÉ’s Dancing With The Stars
THEY’VE been dancing around the question for months but RTÉ has finally confirmed it has booked Jennifer Zamparelli to replace Amanda Byram on Dancing With The Stars.
The comedian and 2fm DJ beat stiff competition to land the top job, said an RTÉ insider. A host of talented Irish presenters were secretly screen-tested for the gig with Laura Whitmore and Vogue Williams early favourites to nab the coveted role. Former Off The Rails presenter Caroline Morahan even jetted in from LA for the audition.
However Jennifer, who stars in Bridget And Eamon, proved most popular with Montrose producers and will join cohost Nicky Byrne when the show airs in January. Amanda Byram stepped down from the hosting in August and rumours have been rife as to who will take her place.
Now it’s certain that Jennifer has bagged the top job. An RTÉ source said: ‘Nicky screen-tested with a lot of talented people but Jennifer proved to be the best fit. She is a confident presenter with great warmth and personality and pairs up well with Nicky.
‘Amanda will be a big loss but we believe that Jennifer will bring something different that fans of the show will welcome and enjoy.’
Amanda bowed out of Dancing With The Stars after its second season. She took to Instagram to write: ‘It’s with a heavy heart I share the news that due to personal and professional commitments both in London and LA, I won’t be joining the team for season 3 of DWTS Ireland. Walking away from such a successful and enjoyable show has been a difficult decision and I wish everyone the same success and enjoyment this year… keeeeeep dancing!’
Jennifer, who always wanted to work in a creative field but drifted into sales, changed career direction after appearing on Alan Sugar’s The Apprentice in 2008. Having moved home to Dublin and started a photography business, she got some radio and TV work and landed a presenting role on Republic Of Telly. She also co-presents 2fm’s Breakfast Republic with her Bridget And Eamon co-star Bernard O’Shea, along with Keith Walsh.
She is currently appearing in an online RTÉ Player series Jen’s Weekend: London in which she pays a whistlestop tour to the city. The series was produced in partnership with Aer Lingus to promote its new Dublin-London City Airport route. eoin.murphy@mailonsunday.ie
IT IS good to know RTÉ’s terrifically entertaining Dancing With The Stars will return to brighten the winter evenings. We wish Jennifer Zamparelli, who will replace Amanda Byram as co-host with Nicky Byrne, the very best of luck.