Formal vs flirty by Niamh Walsh
Jennifer Zamparelli’s easygoing charm is in contrast to Amanda Byram’s practised approach... in the hosting and style stakes
SHE’S fun, bold and has a heart of gold. These are the the sort of words being used to describe Jennifer Zamparelli, the new co-host of Dancing With The Stars. In fact, some well-placed sources at RTÉ have even described the radio presenter and Bridget And Eamon comedy star as a ‘breath of fresh air’, filling a gap that previous host Amanda Byram could never fill.
‘Jennifer is great. She has really slotted into the role terrifically,’ they said.
Zamparelli joined the show this year after previous host Amanda Byram left the lucrative gig after just two series. She is understood to have been paid upwards of €30,000 for her 12-week presenting gig alongside Nicky Byrne.
While Byram’s exit was played down at the time, she found herself embroiled in controversy over some unauthorised social media posts advertising a tanning brand.
There were also some behind-the-scenes tensions brimming during the last season.
‘Amanda made herself very much an outsider. She stayed in her dressing room until she was due on stage. She had her own stylist and make-up artist separate from the rest of the team. She really didn’t mix. It caused some tensions backstage,’ the source added.
But Zamparelli is proving a popular choice with both viewers and contestants thanks to her friendly, easy-going charm and her ability to ‘get on great’ with everyone.
The source revealed: ‘The whole lot of them were out last weekend after the show. They went to 37 Dawson Street and Copper Face Jacks, and they all had a great night. Most of the DWTS class of 2018 came back for the night and they all went out on the town.’
And while we all love some backstage drama with love-ins and fall-outs, it seems that this new batch of competing celebrities have formed a band of merry dancers. ‘They all really get on great. So while nobody wants to go themselves because they’ve all bonded so much, they don’t want to see anyone else leave either,’ said the source.
This week’s show marks the return of the dreaded dance-off when the three judges will be left with the decision of who to axe from the dancers with the lowest vote.
‘Nobody likes the dance-off. But unfortunately somebody has to go every week,’ the source added.