The Irish Mail on Sunday

War on the dancefloor? TV3 talent show takes on Dancing with the Stars

- By Eoin Murphy ENTERTAINM­ENT EDITOR

IRELAND’S two main television stations are set to go head-to-head in a ratings showdown as TV3 pits Ireland’s Got Talent against RTÉ’s Dancing With The Stars.

The MoS has learned that the fledgling talent show, which may be fronted by Baz Ashmawy and Lucy Kennedy, will be scheduled for screening in late January.

It’s understood Ireland’s Got Talent – a copy of Britain’s Got Talent – will run to a grand finale broadcast over St Patrick’s weekend.

However, both shows will be in direct competitio­n for television ratings now that the RTÉ juggernaut – which was hugely successful when it ran from January to March this year – has got the green light for a second series.

According to well-placed sources, Baz Ashmawy is top of a potential host wishlist being considered by TV3 bosses while a second host, such as Lucy Kennedy, may be added to complete the double act made famous by Ant and Dec. There may also be a spin-off show that would be broadcast on 3E. Glenda Gilson and Deirdre O’Kane have also been mooted as

DWTS had audience share of 38%

potential co-hosts with Ashmawy, while Louis Walsh, Mario Rosenstock, Samantha Mumba and Nadine Coyle are rumoured to be shortliste­d as potential judges.

The showdown will come as a shock to RTÉ as Dancing With The Stars brought in an average audience share of 38% on Sunday nights.

A source said: ‘The January window is a competitiv­e TV market where people are staying in on Saturday and Sunday nights and it is one that TV3 hopes will be even more competitiv­e when Ireland’s Got Talent launches. We won’t be worrying about what RTÉ are doing.’

RTÉ is said to be approachin­g big-name Irish celebritie­s to take part in series two of the dance show.

They are also extremely happy with judges Julian Benson, Brian Redmond and Loraine Barry, and hosts Nicky Byrne and Amanda Byram. Neither TV3 nor RTÉ wished to comment.

 ??  ?? got talENt: Samantha Mumba may get judge role
got talENt: Samantha Mumba may get judge role
 ??  ?? top act: Amanda and Nicky
top act: Amanda and Nicky
 ??  ?? froNtmaN: Baz Ashmawy
froNtmaN: Baz Ashmawy
 ??  ?? shoW hopE: Lucy Kennedy
shoW hopE: Lucy Kennedy

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