Who’s going to win DWTS? Twink’s verdict is unmissable
THE TWINKOMETER
SHOWBIZ legend Twink would love to see RTÉ’s Miriam O’Callaghan take part in next year’s Dancing With The Stars. Star of screen and stage Adèle Condron-King has been lending her expertise to the DWTS contestants this year and is predicting a tough final tonight. Sitting in the home she saved from the auctioneer’s hammer earlier this year with her beloved dogs by her side – including Teddy and her little bird friend Timby, Twink says: ‘I would love to see my old pal Miriam O’Callaghan take part in next year’s show but I don’t think you could find a man tall enough to dance with her. Once her heels are on any man would be a midget beside her.’ As to who should win the coveted glitterball, Twink believes that the most talented dancer should take the honours: ‘I think tonight’s final is going to be tense and tough. I do hope a dancer wins the show and I’m so torn as I adore Aoibhín Garrihy, as she was a student of mine for a short time. Aoibhín is a classic. However, I love Denise McCormack too – she is foxy and she’s a grafter and I like her lots, so I’m desperately torn between my two girls. With Aidan, I want to give him 10 out of 10 for effort and his new baby. If it was “strictly fair” then it should be a dancer who wins and not someone who has brought their average dance skills up to that level but we can’t discount the GAA and country vote.
‘If I had the choice I would split the glitterball in half and share it between the two girls, because they are both fantastic.’
As Timby – who has reached the fine old age of 20 – takes his perch on the sofa next to us and Teddy assumes a sitting position, Twink explains why DWTS has been such a hit.
‘I was involved in the original pilot eight years ago, and I was one of the judges on it for Larry [Bass] the creator. I adore Larry but I said to him at the time: “If you land the show then don’t ask me to be on the judging panel.”
‘I thought someone like Brian Redmond would be fabulous as the Redmond family have been dancing since Jesus was an altar boy. I didn’t want to be a token guest on the panel. I would want to be giving my absolute expertise and I wouldn’t sit beside people who are blindingly brilliant.
‘Don’t get me wrong, I was a champion dancer and I know when someone has missed a step but wouldn’t have had their knowledge on polish and so on.
‘The judges have been superb, as has Larry’s vision. It’s a 10 out of 10 production for sheer style and elegance. I rang Larry after the first episode and told him the show was sheer brilliance. I can’t find fault with it and that’s difficult for me as I always find faults. It’s top class and well done to Larry Bass.’
Twink’s advice is that those who do not act like ‘divas’ tend to go furthest in such shows.
As the veteran panto legend prepares for tonight’s final, she has her own comeback in motion but is remaining tight lipped.
‘I am working on a big project with Larry, which is exciting. As I said to Larry: “I don’t do small.”’
And Timby chirps in to add: ‘Watch this space.’
‘We can’t discount the GAA and country vote’