TRAITORS STAR PAUDIE Moloney has declared that Dancing with the Stars is “not called a dance competition, it’s called an entertainment show”.

The 68-year-old retired prison officer spoke to media ahead of the finale of the RTÉ show on Sunday, and he is ignoring the backlash over his dance skills. 

Moloney brushed off questions over how deserving he is of his spot in the final and the online commentary: “I haven’t paid much attention to it.”

“People are entitled to speak, I just don’t have to listen,” he added. “What I am going to do is enjoy it, and I’m going to really live this experience and enjoy it to the last.”

The criticism Moloney has faced centres on whether he deserves to be in the final when other higher-scoring dancers have been sent home.

He is aware of his limitations and knows he’s “never going to be 21 again”. And so, despite his popularity with the public, he doesn’t expect to take home the glitterball: “I’d love to win it, but I don’t fancy my chances.”

Asked if he feels he deserves to win, Moloney answered: “It’s not a question of either expect or deserve, I suppose really, nobody deserves it over anybody else.

“I should never have gotten this opportunity, I will definitely never again get it. I’m just going to enjoy this.”

The Limerick man was a fan favourite who earned the nickname ‘The Paudfather’ when he made it to the final stages of The Traitors Ireland last year.

Moloney flipped recent commentary that him remaining in Dancing with the Stars is bad for the show’s credibility on its head.

In his opinion, how far he’s made it actually highlights its integrity.

“It has actually shown the credibility in the show, that they’re not hiding anything, that if somebody is popular, that they win it.”

Though he said he doesn’t read the negative comments about him Moloney admits he was “probably named correctly in week one as the chancer”.

He understands “why people might write that kind of stuff”.

“It’s an old cliché; paper never refused ink.”

Gliding through the rhythm with effortless elegance! Paudie & Laura owning the American Smooth 🕺💜💃 #DWTSIrl pic.twitter.com/wclDujACh7

— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) March 9, 2026

Paudie and professional partner Laura Nolan have managed to avoid the dreaded dance off in the competition so far – meaning his progress in the competition has been entirely down to the public vote.

Moloney said he knows if it had been up to the judges it would have been “good luck and thanks to Paudie”. 

He said he’s “very grateful” for all the support he’s received from the public.

“The amount of people that approached me just this morning on the train on the Luas, it was just phenomenal,” he told reporters. 

“The amount of goodwill and the amount of support I’m getting, and not one of them had a negative word to say.”

Moloney said he has received letters from fans willing him on in the competition and telling him that he’s “doing the seniors proud in this country”.

The people of Limerick have also rallied behind him with one telling Moloney that this week has been “like the build up to an All Ireland”.

Moloney has pledged to be “dancing his heart out” on Sunday evening.

“I didn’t expect to hear beyond three or four episodes. What it means to me is everything. I’m going to throw everything at it like I’ve always done.”

Despite everything, Moloney is still a bit mystified by his popularity: “I never set out to be a popular person.

“I didn’t know where this came from or what happened, I’m delighted with it.”

And what has he learned from his experience? That his “hips don’t lie”.

The grand finale of Dancing with the Stars is on RTÉ One this Sunday 15 March at 6.30pm.

Contestants will perform two dance routines including one from a previous week. The judges will score the performances but who makes it to the top three and beyond will be entirely in the public’s hands.

The remaining contestants facing off in the final also include Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins and her professional partner Leonardo Lini, singer songwriter Tolü Makay and her professional partner Maciej Zięba and Ireland AM’s Eric Roberts and his professional partner Arianna Favar.