Dancing with the Stars judge Brian Redmond has said there are "five or six" serious contenders who could lift the glitterball trophy this season.
The talent on display for the seventh run of the effervescent dancing competition has blown the long-standing judge away and makes it hard for him to single out a clear favourite.
Speaking to press at a behind-the-scenes look at some of RTÉ's New Year shows, Redmond said: "I can't remember, going back through all of the seasons we’ve had, we’ve had really standout performances in them all thankfully, but I can’t ever remember looking at this stage and thinking 'there’s five or six of them [who could win] and maybe even more'.
"I can’t remember a season that’s had the same strength and depth that we seem to have in this season so far."
His fellow judge Arthur Gourounlian agreed: "I certainly have been very impressed. This is my third season and it's been the best season so far for me. Because since day one it's been incredible, there’s no weakest link.
"Even though there’s a few maybe, 'oh’, but they have musicality, they have rhythm. I’m going to mention Rory [Cowan] - he’s impressed me because he has musicality. Once you have musicality you can learn the steps so I’m very impressed with all 11 of them."
The third episode of the seventh season is due to air this Sunday, with the first elimination set to take place. The first two episodes have seen Wild Youth singer David Whelan and his professional dance partner Salome Chachua race to the top of the Dancing with the Stars leaderboard.
When speaking about the challenges that lie ahead for the contestants, Redmond said that the rumba can be difficult one to approach.
"There's a myriad of reasons, it’s a slower dance. People thing the slower dances are easier, they’re not, they’re harder," he explained. "It’s relatively simple to stumble around the room to quick music if you have good balance, if the music is slow it makes it really challenging.
"There’s a story behind the rumba, it’s a story of love, and to go on national TV and to try and be emotionally expressive with somebody that you only just met for the first time six weeks ago, in front of half a million people watching, is a huge challenge.
"I think the stuff that challenges them emotionally is a bigger challenge than the stuff that challenges them physically."
Gourounlian, who recently made a moving appearance on The Tommy Tiernan show, also spoke about challenges and comfort zones when the prospect of hosting his own chat show was suggested.
"Let’s put it out there, I’m going to have my own show, primetime on RTÉ, Tommy Tiernan who!" he joked.
"Do you know what, never say never. If a couple of years ago you told me as a dancer, there were some struggles, I’ll be judging the biggest TV show... never say never.
"I remember back in 2003 I was doing the Liberty X tour and they told me one day I would be doing something on television, I was 23 years old. I laughed! Look at me now, anything is possible. So, [let's] talk in two years."
Redmond, who has been a judge on Dancing with the Stars since its inception in 2017, is well known to viewers for his straight-talking and no-nonsense approach. This season, however, it appears that he's softening up towards his celebrity charges.
"He’s being too nice, I don’t know what’s happening!" Gourounlian exclaimed. "I’m rubbing off on him, that’s why."
The Dubliner gave his own two cents on his friendlier-seeming demeanor: "It’s eight years. I was 39 when the first season of Dancing with the Stars went to air, I’ll be 47 in March. I actually think the difference is that maybe people have gotten to know me a bit more.
"They’ve seen the playful moments, they know there’s certain things that I want in terms of performances, in terms of the technique that’s required to deliver those performances, but they know, I’d like to think and believe that it’s coming from a good place."
He continued: "We’re trying to have a bit of fun with it, we’re trying to entertain people at home, we’re trying to be true, honest and consistent as judges. If I suddenly change I might start getting letters from contestants from previous seasons saying ‘why weren’t you so nice to us when we were there?!’ It’s keeping it consistent. But I don’t think I’ve changed, I think people have just gotten to know me a little bit better."
Gourounlian suggested it also is down to the fact that "people are getting better and better every year, so he has to be softer."
"Maybe before they were really bad, do you know what I mean," he laughed. "But, he’s a teddy bear."
The Armenian-born dancer and choreographer, who shares daughter Blake with his husband Brian Dowling, also spoke about juggling his parenting duties with the show.
"Monday to Friday, it’s my duty to look after her, I love doing excursions, going places. Saturday, Sunday, I’m like ‘love you, goodbye!’
"I’m always with her, so it’s hard to leave her. But you know what, we have to work, nothing lasts forever. I love you daughter, but I’m happy to work."
He continued: "I always listen to my family, they’re my biggest critique, if they like the show then we did something right, they’re my audience. Hopefully my daughter with grow up and say ‘oh my god I’m so proud of my dad doing this job’."
Redmond had the final word: "She’ll never say that!"
Dancing with the Stars continues on Sunday, 21 January at 6.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
