Brian Dowling confirmed to join RTÉ One’s hit show Dancing with the Stars

After much speculation this week it was officially confirmed live on the Ray D’Arcy Show that television presenter Brian Dowling is set to join the line up for the new series of Dancing with the Stars when it returns to screens in January on RTÉ One.

Having risen to fame in the Big Brother house, Brian is about to take up a new residence on the dance floor.  

Speaking about taking part in Dancing with the Stars Brian said: “I’m super excited because everyone knows the show, it’s on all over the world and to get to dance on one of the biggest shows on Irish television; is phenomenal.  But I am more nervous about this than anything else I’ve ever done as it’s based on your ability to learn a new skill and at my age I’m in my comfort zone…so I’m really pushing myself.  When I reached 40 I told myself I was going to start doing things I usually say no to and this is one of those things!  But it’s great opportunity and I always think the older you get the less opportunities become available to you, so my new lease on life is to say yes a little more and do things that challenge me… so that’s the plan.”

The final two celebrities to complete the full line up will be revealed on Monday, 9 December on Today with Maura and Daithi on RTÉ One.  

Jennifer Zamparelli and Nicky Byrne will reunite this January to present the new series of Dancing with the Stars. Airing on RTÉ One for 12 weeks from Sunday 5 January at 6.30pm, a total of 11 celebrities will partner with their professional dancers as they take on a brand new challenge and change their daily routines for dance routines. Each will be hoping to claim the much-coveted glitter ball trophy at the end of the series.

The couples will tackle a different dance genre each week from the Paso Doble to the Viennese waltz and will have just seven days to perfect their routine before performing it live to the nation. 

Also returning this year is the fabulous panel of judges: Brian Redmond, Loraine Barry and Julian Benson. They will cast their expert eyes over the dancers each week and judge them on their performances. Once again the celebrities and their dancers will be scored by both the judges and the viewing public at home.

There will be even more exclusive Dancing with the Stars content to enjoy as RTÉ’s social channels cover all the backstage antics with the effervescent James Patrice at the helm.  For all the latest news and backstage gossip follow RTÉ One at www.facebook.com/rteone , www.instagram.com/rteone 

www.twitter.com/rteone #DWTSIrl 

In a new addition this year, James Patrice will bring you extra behind-the-scenes news in a brand new weekly podcast. Including chats with stars, their professional partners and the judges, it will be available every Monday to keep the Dancing with the Stars buzz going after the main show has aired.

And finally Dancing with the Stars will be available to watch live on RTÉ Player with the opportunity to catch up on each individual dance.

Dancing with the Stars is produced by ShinAwiL for RTÉ.