Break a leg!
TV star Eoghan McDermott loses his dance partner to injury in energetic rehearsals for Strictly-style charity fundraiser
TV PRESENTER Eoghan McDermott is quite the twinkletoes – but his whirlwind rehearsals for a dance contest left his original partner limping off with an injury.
Eoghan was one of the celebrities taking part in the charity danceoff Strictly for Breast Cancer in Dublin last night.
And it seems rehearsals must have been a strenuous business – as Eoghan’s dance partner Judith Ní Mhuircheartaigh broke a bone in her foot as they were working on their routine.
Eoghan and Judith had been making great progress with their Charleston when disaster struck.
‘They had just gotten it perfect when the accident happened. Unfortunately Judith broke her foot and couldn’t dance anymore,’ said a source.
This isn’t the first time Eoghan has has caused waves with his energetic dancing.
Last year Eoghan went viral when he performed a surprise routine on the Voice of Ireland in which he dirty danced his way from the green room to the stage
‘Eoghan was performing a lift and it went wrong’
in the Helix, danced with presenter Kathryn Thomas before puckering up to kiss her in what was a hilariously awkward snog.
And while Eoghan did display some impressive moves then, it appears that his enthusiasm has now cost him his partner.
‘Eoghan was performing a lift with Judith and it went wrong. It was quite bad,’ a source said.
Judith was taken to hospital and her foot put in plaster.
Indeed rehearsal pictures show Eoghan and Judith trying out some daring moves – in one image, he balances Judith above his head.
Since the mishap, friends of Judith – including Ireland rugby player Rob Kearney – have taken to Facebook to commiserate with her.
And Eoghan refused to let the accident stop the dancing. As he didn’t want to dissapoint those who had sponsored him, he enlisted his friend Gill Keogh to be his new partner for the event, which took place in Dublin’s Convention Centre in front of an audience of 1,000 people. According to his mycharity. ie fundraising page, the presenter has far exceeded his donation targets. He had originally hoped to raise €500 for Breast Cancer Ireland, but his generous friends have donated €3,594.
And his new partner had to work hard to learn the routine. Once Gill was recuited to take Judith’s place, she is said to have practised with Eoghan for two days non-stop.
Strictly Against Breast Cancer, which is now in its second year, raises funds and awareness for breast cancer. A host of celebrities have taken to the floor to raise funds – with the help of professional choreographers, who rehearse with the contestants for up to eight weeks beforehand. This year saw former RTÉ presenter Charlie Bird and actress Vivienne Connolly take to the floor to raise money.