Meet the contestants!
Laura Fox
e 2FM DJ took a step into TV this year, as the new host of Ireland’s Fittest Family. She is ready to rhumba and take on a new challenge and vie for the glitterball. “I am beyond excited; this is all I’ve ever wanted!” the former beauty queen says.
Miriam Mullins
Tiktok sensation Miriam, who joined Cork’s REDFM earlier this year, is also excited but a bit nervous about her dancing skills. “I don’t know if I have them or not. We’ll see!” she says. “I’ve done the odd Tiktok dance here and there. at mightn’t have gone down very well with the audience, but this is a di erent type of dancing!”
Blu Hydrangea
Belfast drag queen Blu found fame on the reality show, Rupaul’s Drag Race UK, and took home the crown at the All-stars season, Rupaul’s Drag Race: UK vs. the World. “I danced on Drag Race, if you could call it that. I’m sure some people would have some words to say about my dancing!” Blu says.
David Whelan
A former Billie Barry kid, David fronts indie pop band Wild Youth, who represented Ireland at the Eurovision last year. “I don’t mind the sequins; I’ve worn some crazy stu in my life so far!” he says. “Apart from a nightclub dance oor when I was in my mid-20s, I wouldn’t say I danced a lot, but I’m loving it.”
Eileen Dunne
e retired newsreader is back on screens a er presenting her last bulletin in November 2022, following 42 years of working for RTÉ. “I took very few Irish dancing lessons and attempted to take dancing lessons at one point... bar dancing in Tamangos or e Grove in Clontarf or wherever as a teenager, that’s about the height of it!” she says.
Jason Smyth
Paralympic gold medal-winning sprinter, Jason is legally blind, with his vision a ected by Stargardt’s disease. “I wouldn’t say I was someone who dances loads; I have two girls, eight and ve, and they both love to dance. So, I’ve had to learn to bop around more and more, but it’s usually to princess songs or something slightly di erent!” he says.
Rosanna Davison
Model, writer and TV personality Rosanna became the rst Irish woman to be crowned Miss World, in 2003. Mother to three young children, she says: “You forget who you used to be when you become a mum; your children take over your life, your world and your thoughts, and I’m slowly starting to remember the person I used to be! I’m doing this show for my kids as well; I want them to be really proud.”
Shane Quigley Murphy
Known for playing Gareth Boyle in Fair City, actor Shane has also appeared in Kin, and Net ix series Vikings: Valhalla. “ e spray tan caught me by surprise, but hey, I’ll try anything once! I’m not quite sure what to expect, but that’s why I love it. I love a challenge, and this is de nitely a challenge for me,” he says. “ e last time I danced was at my brother’s wedding and honestly, that wasn’t a pretty sight!”
Davy Russell
Champion jockey Davy has won the Grand National and the Cheltenham Cup. Will his winning streak extend to dancing? “My wife always told me we need to get dancing lessons before our wedding. I said no, and now I’m regretting this decision!” he says.
Katja Mia
Social media in uencer, model and TV presenter Katja was recently announced as the new host of Virgin Media Ireland’s e Six O’clock Show, alongside Brian Dowling. She says: “I was a stage school kid growing up, but I haven’t done anything like Latin dancing, ballroom dancing, anything quite technical like that. So that’s the daunting part, but between that and just going out with friends and dancing in clubs, I think I’ve got a bit of rhythm, so I should be OK!”
Rory Cowan
Actor and entertainer Rory, of Mrs Brown’s Boys fame is also the Gogglebox Ireland narrator. He’d planned to join the show last year until back surgery put paid to that. But he’s here now to take on the challenge. “I just think that dancing li s your heart,” he says. “I don’t have any expectations of winning this. I’ve plantar fasciitis. I’ve had back surgery. I’m a bit decrepit for my age! I’m in good form but I just know if I don’t do it this year, I’ll never do it.”