PRESENTER ANNE CASSIN has been announced as the tenth contestant in this year’s Dancing with the Stars.

The long-time presenter of RTE’s Nationwide is the tenth celebrity to be announced for the show after Olympic rower Philip Doyle, podcaster Amber Wilson, and musician Tolü Makay were announced on Friday’s Late Late Show.

Cassin has been a broadcaster for over 35 years and joined Nationwide in 2011. She has presented the current affairs show alongside Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh since Mary Kennedy’s retirement in 2019.

Cassin said she is “massively relieved that the word is finally out”.

“It was hard keeping schtum and being evasive when people were asking me about Christmas or New Year.”

“I’m excited now about learning how to dance properly. The last time I danced in public I was about 10 and Irish dancing in a school concert” she added.

She said the best reaction to her casting came from her sister Lilian who “squealed with delight” when she heard the news. 

Though she describes herself as a “complete rookie” Cassin said her biggest motivation for taking part is “the challenge of getting out of my comfort zone and embracing the experience”.

Along with Cassin, Doyle, Wilson and Makay, six other celebrities have already been announced as cast members. 

Traitors star Paudie Moloney, Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh, Ireland AM host Eric Roberts, Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins, Comedian Michael Fry and Fair City star Stephanie Kelly will all be taking to the dance floor. 

Two more celebrities are yet to be announced.

Hosted by Jennifer Zamparelli and Laura Fox Dancing with the Stars also features judges Oti Mabuse, Brian Redmond, Arthur Gourounlian and Karen Byrne.

Dancing with the Stars begins at 6:30pm on Sunday January 5 on RTE 1.