Mairead is the cha-cha-champ
Ronan first woman to be crowned Dancing With The Stars champion
MAIREAD Ronan waltzed off with the Glitterball trophy last night – and became the first female to win Dancing With The Stars.
After 12 weeks filled with everything from racy rumbas to sensational salsas the 38-year-old beat Love/hate actor Johnny Ward and country crooner Cliona Hagan.
Speaking after the show, Mairead, who gave birth to her third baby last August, told how everyone had advised her not to take part in the “gruelling” competition.
She said: “This time last year I was in the audience,
I was pregnant with
Bonnie, I was supporting
Anna Geary and I never dreamed that this would happen to me.
“The producer said,
‘Maybe you’ll be here next year.’ I said, ‘Not a chance I am 22 weeks pregnant,’ but they called me at the end of September. I was exclusively breast feeding, heavy and unfit. Everyone told me not to do it, that it is gruelling and you don’t want to go out and make an eejit of yourself. “But the more they said it the more I wanted to do it.”
The Ireland’s Fittest Family presenter said her husband Louis gave his full support and encouraged her to fulfil her dream.
TV presenter Mairead, who won with professional dancer John Nolan, said mums “shouldn’t forget who we were before we had kids”.
Her final dance last night was a new and original showdance and the pair performed theirs to Don’t Rain On My Parade by Barbra Streisand.
Judge Brian Redmond, who had tipped Mairead to win weeks ago, said: “In week one I described you as a beautiful ball room Belle, all we can ask from anyone in life is you reach your full potential and you’ve done that.”