Two-time Dancing with the Stars winner and professional dancer Karen Byrne has said she was "very nervous" for her judging debut on the hit RTÉ One show and admits it "felt weird" walking around set on her own.
Byrne, who won the dance competition with singer Jake Carter, and in 2024 with Paralympian Jason Smyth, has joined longstanding judges Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond and Arthur Gourounlian for DWTS' eighth season.
Speaking to Laura Fox on RTÉ 2FM on Monday morning, the 32-year-old said once the first few couples danced, she "started to relax a little bit".
"Obviously, I've been part of the show for so long but I'm always beside somebody and looking after my partner, whereas this time I felt weird and was walking around set on my own. I think that change was a bit scary," she said.
She added: "Once I got the first few couples done, I started to relax a little bit. But, if I'm honest, I was very nervous".
The Ballyfermot native said she can relate to the celebrities and professional dancers and knows "exactly what they are going through" backstage.
She said: "I know how the celebs and pro-dancers are feeling backstage before it goes live. I wanted to be as encouraging as I could be, but I was afraid I'd say the wrong thing and upset somebody."
Byrne lavished praise on the 11 contestants and admits she hopes they will all enjoy the journey and not think of the process as a competition.
"They are a great cast. I was surprised the level was so high. I just want everyone to not think of it as a competition and to get out and just enjoy it," she said.
Dancing with the Stars continues on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Sunday, 12 January at 6:30pm.
Catch up on all of the happenings from DWTS' epic return here
