DANCING With The Stars host Jennifer Zamparelli believes a late surge for lip syncer Kayleigh Trappe could see her lift the Glitterball in tonight’s final.
But the Monaghan woman faces stiff competition from Olympians Rhys McClenaghan and Jack Woolley, as well as people’s favourite, Mrs Brown’s Boys star Danny O’Carroll.
Jennifer told The Irish Sun: “I had a conversation with Carl Mullan (2FM star and former DWTS winner) in the gym the other day and we both think that Kayleigh is peaking at the right time.
“But who knows? Because these things are so hard to call. Jason Smyth won it last year, we knew he would get to the final but it was the last dance when Karen (Byrne) was blindfolded that won it for him.
“Another winner Lottie Ryan was in the dance-offs every week before she won, so I think when you get to the final, it’s a clean slate. What happens on that last night decides it.”
But things can be just as unpredictable hosting.
Jennifer and co-host Doireann Garrihy revealed the dangers they face, squeezed into figure-hugging dresses and high heels as they make their entrance each week.
Doireann said: “I had my first near fall this season coming down the stairs. It was Country Week and the back of my heel clipped one of the steps. I shrieked and just caught myself in time. Luckily the camera was on Jen at the time.”
The two girls revealed it’s not all fun wearing the glamorous outfits they’re seen in every week
Jennifer said: “The long white one (dress) nearly killed me this season. But it looked so good.
“Sometimes we are in a piece we can’t breathe in for eight hours. One Sunday I was in a dress I wasn’t comfortable in.
“I wore it all through the dress rehearsals, and then had a little panic attack so I had to change it at the last minute to something else. Our seamstress Louise fixed it for the following week.
“On Dancing With The Stars we are as eco-friendly and as economical as we can be. So we look half decent but the carbon footprint is kept low.”
But both Jennifer and Doireann stress they love hosting the showbiz show on television.
‘TV ISN’T GLAMOROUS’
Jennifer said: “TV isn’t glamorous. Dancing With The Stars is the greatest show on TV. I’ve done hidden camera and comedy shows, they are not glamorous.
“Where else but on DWTS do you get to sit and have your make-up done, try on dresses and stand on a shiny floor.”
Someone who’d agree is long standing Strictly host Tess Daly who jetted into Dublin to watch Jen and Doireann present the Irish version of the BBC show.
STAR NERVES
Jennifer said: “I was nervous. Tess is the queen of doing Strictly, she has been doing it for a billion years. She was sitting so bloody close to the stage as well. Right in the front.”
The former Republic of Telly star admitted she was on her “best behaviour” for the BBC star’s visit and found the Strictly star “lovely and warm”.
Doireann added: “During the ad breaks we got to have a chat and a bit of craic and a photo. She was very complimentary.”
- The final of Dancing With The Stars is on RTE One at 6.30pm.
GLITTERBALL STARS – ALL THE DWTS WINNERS
SERIES ONE – 2017: Former Kerry footballer Aidan O’Mahony beat the odds to be crowned Ireland’s first-ever Dancing With The Stars champion alongside pro partner Valeria Milova, beating out former Fair City star Aoibhin Garrihy and Red Rock actress Denise McCormack.
SERIES TWO – 2018: Singer Jake Carter – the younger brother of country crooner Nathan – was just 19 when he nabbed the Glitterball in 2018 with pro dancer Karen Byrne. And the dance partnership later blossomed into love for the popular pair, who confirmed they were dating months after their big win.
SERIES THREE – 2019: Popular presenter Mairead Ronan became the first female winner, landing the Glitterball with Kilkenny dancer John Nolan in 2019. The mum-of-three said her victory was proof “you can do anything you put your mind to”.
SERIES FOUR – 2020: The 2020 series finale was brought forward due to the outbreak of Covid-19, with 2FM star Lottie Ryan left in tears at clinching the trophy with pro partner Pasquale La Rocca.
SERIES FIVE – 2022: Returning to screens in 2022 after a year off in 2021 due to the continuing coronavirus crisis, ex-jockey Nina Carberry became the third woman on the trot to win the Glitterball, marking a second title for pro Pasquale.
SERIES SIX – 2023: RTE 2FM star Carl Mullan was left stunned back in 2023 when he lifted the Glitterball with pro Emily Barker. The underdog came out on top against fellow finalists Brooke Scullion, Suzanne Jackson and Damien McGinty.
SERIES SEVEN – 2024: Paralympian Jason Smyth came out on top as the 2024 series winner, with pro Karen Byrne becoming the second dancer to win the DWTS title twice. The legally blind athlete moved viewers to tears with an emotional showdance to secure the title.
