‘A huge thank you’ – Dancing with the Stars’ John and Mairéad return to Kilkenny
JOHN Nolan and his celebrity partner Mairéad Ronan returned to the Marble City today as they paid a warm tribute to all their local fans and supporters who have helped to propel them into the final of Dancing with the Stars.
Speaking to KilkennyNow.ie from the Lyrath Estate, where they were busy rehearsing ahead of Sunday’s final, John gave an insight into the whirlwind schedule the duo have to endure between now and Sunday.
His voice hoarse from tiredness, John (picture above with Mairéad at the Lyrath today) said: “Rehearsals are going really well – we’re actually here in the Lyrath Estate rehearsing at the moment after a busy, busy day. We’re working very hard – we’re up at 6am in the morning to do more rehearsals before we visit schools around Kilkenny and then do our broadcast with KCLR.
“Then it’s back to rehearsals in the afternoon, after that I’m a judge on the Teac Tom OsKars event in the Lyrath – and then its back to Dublin for the Late Late Show. So yeah, we’re busy, busy, busy. But we’re in good form – we’ll do whatever we have to do to bring that Glitter Ball back to Kilkenny!”
The bookies have installed John and Mairéad as second favourite – just behind Love/Hate actor Johnny Ward and his professional partner Emily Barker – to win Sunday’s final dance showdown on the hit RTÉ show.
But John is quietly confident he and Mairéad can go all the way, especially if their many fans throughout Kilkenny city and county continue to send in the votes.
“Mairéad and I would like to send a huge thank you to everybody who has texted, supported, rang in and – more importantly – voted over the past few weeks.”
He added: “The rehearsals are going good, the show dance is going good – it’s my favourite dance of the whole season – I think it’s going to be absolutely amazing.”
