Kildare model Alannah Beirne has revealed that she will be "a bundle of nerves" ahead of making her debut on the Dancing with the Stars dancefloor on Sunday evening, and says she is impressed by the competition so far.
The Britain's Next Top Model finalist was a late addition to this season's line-up after replacing Aoife Walsh, which meant she had less time to rehearse for the first live show.
At this week's first group rehearsal, the Naas-born model said she was checking out the other contestants and was impressed by their moves.
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Beirne told RTÉ Entertainment: "Erin McGregor, jeez she can move. I was actually very surprised with Norah [Casey], she was very good.
"All the girls, because they’ve been practicing for so long as well, they’ve started to pick it up and get the rhythm, they know what they’re doing.
"So yeah. I still have a bit of catching-up to do!"
The Naas star admitted that the first live show will be nerve-wracking.
"I’m going to be extremely nervous I know I am, I’ll be shaking like a leaf", she said. "Now I’m fine and I’m relaxed but come Sunday evening I’ll be a bundle of nerves."
Beirne, who came in third place in Britain's Next Top Model last year, says taking part in Dancing with the Stars is in some ways similar, and other ways "really not".
"Britain’s Next Top Model, it was challenging in the fact that every week there was challenges and there was eliminations and all the rest", she explained. "But with this one, I’m not modelling, I’m dancing, it’s completely out of my comfort zone and I just really have to enjoy the experience."
The model admitted that she has similar ambitions for Dancing with the Stars.
"Of course I want to do as well as I can and get to the final, but I’m going to take it step by step and keep dancing. I want to learn and it’s great exposure. So we’ll see how I get on. It’ll be fun!", she said.
The new season of Dancing with the Stars kicks off at 8pm on RTÉ One.
