Rob’s voted Heff after Broadway battle...
Athletics star misses out on semi-final spot
ROB Heffernan bowed out on Broadway week as he was voted off Dancing With The Stars last night.
The Olympian, 40, was in the dance-off against fitness model Erin Mcgregor – who was saved by judges for a third time.
The final five stars were battling it out for a spot in the coveted semi-final next Sunday.
Speaking to the Irish Mirror after the dance-off, Cork man Rob admitted it was emotional for the competition to have concluded for him.
He said: “I’m sad it’s all over but it was going to come to an end in the next two weeks anyway.
“I’ve done well, I’m happy, but I’m sad it’s finished.
“I think tonight was our best [performance] but it just so happens that Erin is brilliant. Life will go on. We’re going to do other stuff as well but it’s emotional.”
The retired race walker and his partner Emily Barker earned 25 points for his foxtrot to the music of Joseph – his highest score in the competition so far.
Speaking about his experience on the show, Rob said: “It’s incredible, it’s been life-changing for me.”
Commenting on his performance, judge Loraine
Barry said:
“You spoke about the thing you have sacrificed for this show and for me they absolutely paid off, that was an excellent foxtrot.
“The frame class... Superb.” for me was
BONUS
first Rob was the second to be voted out of the Swingaton – a bonus dance round – by the judges, meaning he got to add an extra two points to his score.
Erin came out fighting with her performance, notching up 27 points.
The 36-year-old and professional Ryan Mcshane danced the tango to the Chicago soundtrack, which won praise from all the judges.
Julian Benson said: “I felt like I was at the musical on Broadway, I felt it through my body.”
Speaking after the show, mum-of-two Erin said being on DWTS has been like an 10-week holiday.
She added: “In fairness I’ve been having Mother’s Day since January because my family have been letting me off the housework since then.”
Erin and Ryan gained an extra three points for their total after coming third in the Swingaton.
Singer Jake Carter topped the leader board with his rendition the Charleston, scoring a perfect 30 with his partner Karen Byrne.
It was familiar territory for the 20-year-old dancing to the Aladdin soundtrack, having recently appeared in a panto of the popular Disney film over Christmas.
The singer earned plenty of praise from the judging panel, with Brian commenting: “For me this was close to genius, it had everything you could want from a Charleston.”
Jake and Karen also earned an extra five points after winning the Swin- gaton. Comedian Deirdre O’kane and pro dancer John Nolan foxtrotted to the music from A Chorus Line.
The performance divided the judges’ opinions and earned the pair the lowest score of the night, 22 points. Deirdre confessed she was disappointed with the judges’ criticism.
She said: “Yeah [the comments] did hurt, we worked like dogs this week.”
Camogie star Anna Geary and her partner Kai Widdrington danced their way to the top of the leaderboard with their jive to the Rocky Horror Show soundtrack.
The Ireland’s Fittest Family coach racked up a near perfect score of 29 for her footwork.
Anna admitted after the performance that learning the routine had taken its toll on her physically – especially on her calf muscles.
She said: “They’re now cows, they’re no longer calves. They’re on fire.”