Ahead of the final of the current series of Dancing with the Stars on St Patrick's Day, we asked head judge Loraine Barry and her colleagues Brian Redmond and Arthur Gourounlian to pick the celebrities and professionals they would most like to partner from any season of the RTÉ One show.
Here's what they said!
Loraine Barry picks...
Professional Dance Partner: Stephen Vincent
Loraine Barry says: "I was going to dance with him last year - and then Arthur got in there first! I think Stephen is very much about the quality of dancing - you can see that with the choreography that he does. I feel he's got very good training. You can see it when he dances but also what he teaches his celebrity as well. I like Stephen's style!"
Celebrity Dance Partner: Ryan Andrews, Dancing with the Stars Class of 2020
Loraine Barry says: "What Ryan delivered week after week... just his professionalism. He danced with Giulia Dotta and I thought it was a great partnership. Ryan had an issue with his back [as a child], but now he has an absolutely beautiful posture. He absolutely springs to mind for me."
Brian Redmond picks...
Professional Dance Partner: Karen Byrne
Brian Redmond says: "Considering that we lock horns on the show, maybe we could do a bit of a Rumba and have a bit of a reconciliation or something like that! I've known Karen for 20 years now, I suppose, at this stage - 15 certainly anyway! - and she's always had that way about her! Actually, change it to a Jive because Jive has lots of kicks and flicks in it - and it'd be an opportunity for her to kick my backside a little bit for a change!"
Celebrity Dance Partner: Panti Bliss, Dancing with the Stars Class of 2023
Brian Redmond says: "Panti's probably the only celebrity we've had on the show that would be tall enough to dance with me!"
Arthur Gourounlian picks...
Professional Dance Partner: Salome Chachua
Arthur Gourounlian says: "Straight away I have to say Salome! She is just out of this world! She's incredible! She knows her body, she knows who she is, she knows how to move, she knows how to choreograph, she knows how to present herself and sell it! I mean, yes! Any day, any time, any week, any year, I'll take Salome!"
Celebrity Dance Partner: Damian McGinty, Dancing with the Stars Class of 2023
Arthur Gourounlian says: "I can't say my husband (Brian Dowling) because he's already been on the show and he's useless, so I'm not going to go with him! Obviously, I'm talking from my three seasons on the show. The way Damian changed and the way he presented himself for that final [dancing Contemporary Ballroom for the Judges' Choice and then bringing Broadway to his Showdance]... I would hand on heart choose him!"
Dancing with the Stars, St Patrick's Day, RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, 7pm
