Model Holly Carpenter and comedian Fred Cooke are the latest contestants to join the new series of RTÉ One's hit show Dancing with the Stars.
It was confirmed live on RTÉ 2FM's Breakfast Republic on Tuesday that the former Miss Ireland and the funnyman have their eyes set on this year's Dancing with the Stars trophy.
Two more celebrities have been announced for Dancing With The Stars - comedian @CookeFred and model @Holly0910#DWTSIrl returns Saturday, January 6th pic.twitter.com/z7gXOBaY11
— RTE One (@RTEOne) December 4, 2018
Speaking about taking part in Dancing with the Stars, Holly said;"I'm so excited to do the show. I've watched the last two series religiously with my Mom."
AGHHHHH!!! Oh my God me nerves!!!!! So so so excited! 💃🏽🕺🏽💕💕💕 roll on January ✨💪🏼 please be kind to my two left feet lads! 🤭🕺🏽 https://t.co/6p3rMaoSxx
— HollyCarpenter (@Holly0910) December 4, 2018
"When I met the pro-dancers I was almost star struck, so I'm truly delighted to be part of it. This is going to be physically and mentally challenging and I'm slightly terrified, but overall I'm really looking forward to it."
Fred added: "I'm so happy to be taking part on Dancing with the Stars this year. When it comes to dancing, I'm full of passion but I don't have the technique. I'll do my best to try and get both right on this incredible show."
He cooks up some serious comedy in his stand-up routines, but for funnyman Fred Cooke DWTS is no laughing matter!
— DWTS Ireland (@DWTSIRL) December 4, 2018
Can’t wait to see you strut your stuff, @CookeFred! 😁 #DWTSIrl #DWTS pic.twitter.com/4J32CW3zn2
Its seems @JamesPatrice helped make @CookeFred's dance dreams come true! #DWTSIrl returns Sunday, January 6th pic.twitter.com/RF5sECqtM5
— RTE One (@RTEOne) December 4, 2018
TV presenter Mairéad Ronan, actor and comedian Eilish O'Carroll and style entrepreneur Darren Kennedy are also among this year's contestants.
Jennifer Zamparelli and Nicky Byrne will present the new series of Dancing with the Stars. Airing on RTÉ One for 12 weeks from Sunday 6th January, a total of 11 celebrities will pair up with their professional dancing partners as they step out of their comfort zones and onto the dancefloor, each hoping to claim the much-coveted glitter ball trophy at the end of the series.
Also returning this year is our expert panel of judges Brian Redmond, Loraine Barry and Julian Benson.
Can’t Stop Dancing, the preview show for Dancing with the Stars hosted by Bláthnaid Treacy will also return on Friday, January 4 on RTÉ One to go behind the scenes to capture all the glitz, glamour and gossip back stage and get the low down from the judges, the professional dancers and the stars.
The two-hour show will be broadcast from Sunday, January 6th until March 24th 2018.
