Popular soap star ‘absolutely buzzing’ as she’s fifth celeb to sign up for hit RTE show and reveals scariest part
The Ballymun-born blonde said she ‘cannot dance for the life of me’
FAIR City actress Stephanie Kelly is the fifth well-known face confirmed for Dancing With The Stars.
The 37-year-old is one of the longest-serving cast member in the soap’s history, playing Sash Bishop since 2012.
Hailing from Ballymun, the actress has been part of storylines on RTE dealing with themes like homelessness, parenting, and hardship.
Speaking about joining Dancing With The Stars, Stephanie said: “I am absolutely buzzing – and scarlet – to be part of this season’s DWTS.
“I can’t believe I agreed to do it seeing as I cannot dance for the life of me.
“I have no experience and sure I couldn’t even name half of the dances that are involved
“I don’t train or go to the gym so the extent of my fitness is running around after my three kids.
“I don’t know what’s scarier – trying to dance to actual choreography in front of the nation or the fact I have to wear heels while doing it.”
The Ballymun-born blonde juggles Carrigstown with being a mum to her three kids; Rosie, Zach, and Finn.
She explained: “My kids are so excited to see their mammy dancing on TV.
“My daughter Rosie in particular loves to dance and dress up so she’ll be buzzing.
“My eldest boy told me not to worry if I fall because, ‘sure it’ll be funny’.
“My youngest is only three so he hasn’t a clue what’s going on until he sees it.
“I’m hoping I can give a cheeky wave to them during the live shows.”
Speaking previously with The Irish Sun, the actress explained how she has kept working while bringing up her kids.
WORKING MUM
She said: “The producer and the whole team are very accommodating and understanding. I was eager.
“I remember cracking a joke about learning my lines in the Rotunda hospital or something, that’s just my sense of humour, but I was eager to go back.
“It’s quite a good job as a mammy because you’re not in every week. It’s nice to have the craic.
“You’re a character, so you’re used when you’re needed and you’re used to accommodate whatever way the storyline is at that moment.”
‘VERY LUCKY’
She added: “I have the best of both worlds. I’m very lucky.
“There are mammies at work who have guilt and there are mammies at home who wish they could work.
“I can throw myself into work and then throw myself into being a stay-at-home mum. It is just perfect.”
Dancing With The Stars returns to screens on January 4.
Double Strictly winner Oti Mabuse will be replacing Loraine Barry as chief judge, joining the existing panel of Brian Redmond, Arthur Gourounlian and Karen Byrne.
Jennifer Zamparelli will co-host with 2FM’s Laura Fox, who is standing in for Doireann Garrihy, who welcomed her first child with husband Mark Mehigan in October.
Eurovision singer Niamh Kavanagh, Traitors Ireland star Paudie Moloney, current Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins, and comedian Michael Fry have all been confirmed for the upcoming ninth season of the show
