I get the chance to dress up – I love it!

SHE’S more familiar to viewers for her tough-girl roles thanks to dramas including Love/Hate and Red Rock.

But Denise McCormack says she’s relishing the opportunity to indulge her inner ‘girly girl’ with her stint on Dancing With The Stars.

‘I’m loving the dresses – absolutely loving them,’ the mother of two said ahead of tonight’s show. ‘When I was in my 20s, I loved getting dolled up. Not so much recently because I have less of a social life. I like to get dressed up and get my hair done, so this is going one step further.’

With Dr Eva Orsmond voted off last week, competition on the dance show is hotting up and the training is as punishing as ever.

‘It’s got difficult again for some reason. I have to push, push and push,’ she said.

But her efforts are not going unnoticed. ‘More and more, I get stopped and people are saying: “Well done – you’re doing great!”’

And she thinks she understands the show’s appeal, saying: ‘It’s just a bit of happiness in people’s lives on a Sunday evening. It’s bright, sparkly and fun.’