Mairead steps up for dance challenge
Host unveiled as first DWTS contestant
RTE presenter Mairead Ronan has been revealed as the first contestant for Dancing With The Stars in the New Year.
The 38-year-old will be in rehearsals straight after Christmas as the highlyanticipated show returns for a third season.
Mum-of-three Mairead will bid to win the coveted Glitterball Trophy bagged by singer Jake Carter last year.
She said: “I’m very excited but I have a big ball of nerves in my stomach. I’ve never done anything glamorous on TV.
“I’m always out in fields and mucky places with wellies and runners, so now to be in heels and sparkly dresses is both brilliant and brutal.
“The only dancing I do is around the kitchen with my baby, so this is going to be a whole new experience for me.”
Former Today FM broadcaster Mairead found fame on the Ray Darcy radio show and has fronted Ireland’s Fittest Family and RTE holiday show Getaways.
She and husband Louis Ronan welcomed daughter Bonnie in August. The couple have a two-year-old daughter Eliza and Mairead has an 11-year-old son, Dara, from her first marriage.
Other celebrity hopefuls will be revealed on the Ryan Tubridy Show on RTE Radio One tomorrow.
The 11 couples will perform for the retuning judges panel of Brian Redmond, Lorraine Barry and Julian Benson.
She joins another new mum for the dancing extravaganza as Breakfast Republic’s Jennifer Zamparelli replaces Amanda Byram to present the new series.
Jennifer, who gave birth to baby Enzo in January, will co-host with Nicky Byrne for the 12 weeks of live shows starting on Sunday, January 6. And RTE confirmed Can’t Stop Dancing hosted by Blathnaid Treacy is back on Friday, January 4. news@irishmirror.ie