Marty to party with Ksenia on DWTS
MARTY Morrissey has been paired with Ukrainian beauty Ksenia Zsikhotska as he swaps the GAA sideline for centre stage on ‘Dancing With The Stars’.
Insiders claim he has proved he’s got rhythm and may well emerge as a “dark horse” on the competition.
Bláthnaid Treacy, presenter of preview show ‘Can’t Stop Dancing’, said that, during practice in Ardmore Studios in Bray, Morrissey impressed.
“Obviously the nation fell in love with Des on last year’s show and I think everybody adores Marty. I think he’s in with a really good chance,” she said.
“He’s an absolute gent, he’s got a great personality and he can actually dance, he’s got really good dance moves. He’s got rhythm, I think from back in the day when he was rocking into all the discos – he’s going to be a dark horse.”
His dance partner Ksenia Zsikhotska (28) was a big hit last year where she was partnered with boyband singer Dayl Cronin, who made it to the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Dublin dancer Karen Byrne has been paired with singer Jake Carter – the younger brother of country western star, Nathan.
The professional dancer from Ballyfermot made waves last year with her partner Des Cahill and the ‘Dessie Swim’ dance move.
“I got to the semi-final last year and of course you want to get higher. You don’t want to get knocked out in week one, I’d be devastated,” Byrne said.
Karen has also tipped Erin McGregor – sister of UFC star Conor – to be a contender. She has been partnered with Ryan McShane, who made it to the final last year with Denise McCormack.
Ryan found love on the series with model Thalia Heffernan, whose former partner Curtis Pritchard will join businesswoman Norah Casey, while Cork GAA star Anna Geary has been paired with Katherine Lynch’s old partner Kai Widdrington.
Olympic medallist Rob Heffernan joins dancer Emily Barker, while presenter Maia Dunphy dances with pro newcomer Robert Rowinski.
Last year’s pro champion Valeria Milova will be hoping for a repeat of her success with GAA star Aidan O’Mahony. She will dance with comedian Bernard O’Shea.
Former rugby star Tomás O’Leary is matched with Giulia Dotta and comedian Deirdre O’Kane is with Kilkenny dancer John Edward Nolan.
Model Alannah Beirne is teamed up with Vitali Milova, who made it to finals last year with actress Aoibhin Garrihy.