EXCLUSIVE: ‘I’m on cloud nine … I can’t believe we won’ – victorious Kilkenny dancing star John Nolan
DANCING With the Stars winner John Nolan today said he and celebrity partner Mairéad Ronan’s stunning triumph on last night’s finale still “hasn’t sunk in”.
Speaking to KilkennyNow.ie earlier today, John (pictured above with Mairéad and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar after last night’s show) said he is on “cloud nine” after he went one better than last year and lifted the coveted Glitter Ball on the hit RTÉ show.
And he again thanked all the people across the city and county who gave him such incredible support throughout the series and for giving him “the best week of my life”.
John added: “I just can’t believe we’ve won. This has been the most tiring and emotional week of my life but, hands down, the best of all my 28 years.
“Where do I start? The support and messages of love from the people of Kilkenny has just been so heart-warming. For me personally, I feel very proud of what we achieved, myself and Mairéad.
“On a personal level, I’m really pleased that all of the hard work paid off. My lifelong dream has come true to win the show. It hasn’t sunk in yet, it’s so surreal.”
The Kilkenny man again paid tribute to his dance partner, who went on to lift the Glitter Ball despite the fact she had never danced on stage before the start of the series.
“I’m so proud of Mairéad, she deserves this one thousand per cent. She was amazing last night, she’s been amazing throughout this whole show. She has just grown leaps and bounds on this show, and she is what this show is about,” said John.
“To come from nothing to turn into the dancer that she is [now] and the fact that she is such an amazing person makes it even better. It’s the most enjoyable time I’ve had in my life and although it’s sad its ending, I’ve had so many happy memories and I’m on cloud nine. I just can’t believe it.”
Kilkenny TD John McGuinness, who has known John and his family for years, also paid tribute to his “great achievement”.
Deputy McGuinness described the Kilkenny man as “a fantastic role model” for young people.
The Fianna Fáil TD added: “Kilkenny people are very proud of him and have been showing him great support, and it probably made a difference in terms of the votes himself and Mairéad got. But it was astonishing to see him there on the stage over the weeks and to see him come through it.
“He’s a great character and a fantastic role model for young people in Kilkenny. Anyone looking at what he has achieved will be able to look at what he has done and give them inspiration to go on and achieve great things.”
