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IRELAND’S FIRST EVER Olympic medalist in gymnastics, Rhys McClenaghan, is among the latest list of famous faces confirmed for the upcoming season of Dancing With The Stars.
The Co Down athlete is a decorated gymnast and scooped back-to-back gold in the pommel horse at the 2022 and 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.
He then followed this up with a magnificent Olympic gold at the Paris Games in August.
McClenaghan was also named RTÉ’s Sportsperson of the Year in 2023.
He said he’s “thrilled to take on this new challenge” and is “looking forward to bringing some gymnastics skills to the dance floor”.
McClenaghan is already looking forward to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, but said he is approaching his training for the 2025 competition year differently.
“I took some time to travel, and as I begin my first training block for the LA Games, I will also have some fun figuring out how to dance,” said McClenaghan.
“Hopefully, with the guidance of my pro dance partner, I can bring some of my pommel horse flair to the dance floor, too,” he added.
The announcement was made on The Late Late Show and also confirmed for the latest season of Dancing With The Stars was Ireland AM presenter Elaine Crowley, chef Kevin Dundon, TikTok star Kayleigh Trappe, and Kin actress Yasmin Seky.
They were joined by dancer and two-time winner of the series Karen Byrne, who was recently announced as the newest judge to join the Dancing With The Stars panel.
Earlier this week, singer-songwriter Mickey Joe Harte, Irish taekwondo Olympian Jack Woolley, comedian Gearóid Farrelly, Mrs. Brown’s Boys actor Danny O’Carroll and former Miss Universe Ireland, Aishah Akorede were revealed as the first five contestants for the upcoming series.
The eleventh and final name will be revealed on Sunday morning.
The show will air on Sunday evening from early next year and will see the 11 famous figures team up with a professional dancer to perform a live routine every week.
Each celebrity couple will be scored by an expert panel of four judges and the viewing public at home, with the winning couple claiming the glitter ball trophy at the end of the series.
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WOW, RIVETING….all this outstanding talent for a measly €160 a year
@Frank Mc Carthy: I’d say you’re great craic at parties
@John Doe: id say he is…and id say this show is the best show ever if u want to fall asleep to…;)
@John Doe: you should see me on the ol’ karaoke machine…… you’d swear Tony Christie was up on stage…uncanny, lol
@Frank Mc Carthy: be grateful Pat Shortt and Una Healy were unavailable.
@John Doe: He’s tremendous craic on the journal.
@James T.Kirk: is he now? Every second comment I’ve seen from him was either racist or homophobic.
@rqHSc3FP: I wonder if Conor McGregor’s sister is available for a re run. She now famous again.
@Frank Mc Carthy: absolutely groundbreaking entertainment on another level. Guaranteed to send you to sleep in minutes dramatised crap and waffle. Without a doubt no worthy of the 160 euro not worthy of 1.60 to be honest.
Such a load of bull
In fairness, seeing real talent on this show is as rare as finding an Irish professional rugby player without a criminal conviction these days.
Brendan and Denis. Bless.
Will wooley be performing his trade mark scorpion kick
@P. V. Aglue: didnt’t work so well for him on the quays in Dublin.
Bless.
@rqHSc3FP: he’d probably deck you in fairness
@Áine F: ooooh, matron! Alas, we dine from the other side of the buffet. More curry, vicar?
That’s embarassing.
Elaine Crowley? Cue article on body positivity and social media hate in Sindo, Sunday World, RIP magazine, RTE Guide….
To think they could have had Gerry Hutch, Sharlene Mawdsley, Twink, Derek Blighe, Hazel Chu, ….
@rqHSc3FP: Hazel Who?
How on Earth did that Meehan guy qualify for day release after going on the run just 2 years previous?! Prison must be great fun.
@Donna Fallon: I just read that article and thought the same myself. I know he was a prinsor up north but how on earth did the authorities realize him and expect him to come back
@Nikki Swift: It’s like something out of Father Ted… to be honest most of the news these days (apart from tragic deaths and wars obviously) blows my mind. Not in a good way:( It’s such a cliché I know but the World has gone mad. Sometimes I genuinely feel like I’m suffering psychosis when I read certain articles- like have I imagined this??x
Sport was the most popular pastime in Ireland, but now its begrudgery
@Patrick Westman: you said it, the same names in the comments section of every article, moaning groaning and begrudging
@Marie Agnew: it’s one or two people with multiple accounts. You can just mute them.
Karen byrne great craic real dub
Convicted murder absconds from prison for the SECOND time? First time was when he was on leave from prison! You couldn’t make it up
A brilliant show, and great value for the licence fee
@Hot Jim: is that Assad’s profile pic? Nurse! The Complan and slippers, please!
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