Kilkenny legend Aidan has ‘night of his dreams’ in dramatic Dancing With The Stars finale

He didn’t bring the coveted Glitterball back to Kilkenny, but hurling legend Aidan ‘Taggy’ Fogarty still did his county proud as he bowed out of Dancing With The Stars with a barnstorming performance on the hastily-arranged finale of the hit RTÉ show.

Earlier yesterday the national broadcaster made the surprise announcement that “due to recommended guidance around coronavirus Covid-19”, the final would take place last night instead.

This meant Adrian and his partner Emily Barker and the three other remaining couples would by-pass the semi-final completely, performing in the absense of a studio audience.

The Kilkenny man had the inenviable task of being the first one to take to the dancfloor in the empty Ardmore Studios.

But the eight-times All-Ireland champion again rose to the occasion.

For their first dance, Aidan and Emily danced a Viennese Waltz to Westlife’s Another Life.

Judge Loraine Barry called it “pure, beautiful Viennese Waltz”. “That was just sublime,” she added.

Fellow judge Darren Bennett described the dance as “intimate, romantic and beautiful to watch”, adding Aidan and Emily had set the standard with the opening performance of the night.

But ‘Taggy’ really got pulses racing during a saucy second performance, when he and Emily were joined by Laura Nolan for a sexy salsa.

Judge Brian Redmond said it looked like Aidan was having the night of his dreams!

Loraine Barry said it had “everything we want from a Salsa”. “I thought it was just brilliant,” she concluded. Aidan, Emily and Laura scored 27 for their Salsa.

But in the end, sadly, it wasn’t enough as Lottie Ryan and professional dance partner Pasquale La Rocca were eventually crowned Dancing with the Stars champions.

They take over  the Glitterball from last year’s winners, Kilkenny dancing star John Nolan and his former celebrity partner Mairéad Ronana.

2FM presenter Lottie fought back tears when the result of the public vote was announced.

She said taking part in the show had been “life-changing”.

“This journey has been the best thing I have ever said ‘yes’ to,” she said.

Ryan Andrews and his professional dance partner Giulia Dotta, Aidan Fogarty and pro dancer Emily Barker and Gráinne Gallanagh and her pro partner Kai Widdrington were the runners-up.

Earlier in the RTÉ made the surprise annoucement that “due to recommendd guidance around coronavirus Covid-19”, the final would take place last night, with the four couples by-passing the semi-final completely and no studio audience.