Footballer and commentator Stephanie Roche has announced that she is joining Dancing with the Stars which returns to RTÉ One in January. She was in full festive spirit earlier today as she joined The Ryan Tubridy Show on RTÉ Radio 1. This morning’s show was broadcast live from Arnotts on Henry Street in Dublin. She was joined by Brian Redmond, one of the judges on the series, to tell Ryan Tubridy how preparations are going for series six.
Stephanie said: “I’m excited and nervous to get started on Dancing with the Stars. This is a whole new experience for me and one that will definitely take me out of my comfort zone but I’m excited to learn to dance and to enjoy the whole experience.”
From Shankill in Dublin, Stephanie is one of Ireland’s best known female footballers. The striker made her international debut in 2009 and has scored 14 goals over the course of her 58 appearances. Today she plays club football for Peamount United. In her first season with them, Stephanie won the Golden Boot by scoring 26 goals.
Stephanie shot to fame in 2013 when her goal for Peamount against a Wexford side was runner up for the FIFA Puskas Award for best goal of the year. The footage went viral with over five million views and brought big international attention. She was the only woman to be voted a finalist that year. At the finals ceremony she rubbed shoulders with Ronaldo and Messi.
In 2017, she was front and centre of the group of Irish players who spoke out about the inadequate conditions that the women’s international squad faced. This brave and bold move by the players brought about change and many believe it paved the way for the current squad qualifying for the World Cup.
Stephanie appeared on Ultimate Hell Week in 2021 and is a regular pundit and commentator on RTÉ soccer coverage.
She married her long-term partner, Dean Zambra in June and is just back from honeymoon in time to start her Dancing With The Stars training.
Dancing with the Stars judge Brian Redmond also joined Ryan and Stephanie in studio. Looking ahead to the new series Brian said: “Someone who scares me quite a lot when it comes to potential criticism is Panti – I may have met my match!”
Stay tuned for news and announcements on series six of Dancing with the Stars which returns to RTÉ One in January.