TV presenter Anne Cassin has said she is embracing everything Dancing with the Stars has to offer, admitting she is at a stage in her life where she wants to try new things and "not be afraid".
The 63-year-old is best known for her work on RTÉ's long-running programme Nationwide, where she has been part of the presenting team for more than a decade, travelling the country to tell local stories alongside Bláthnaid Ní Chófaigh.
Speaking to RTÉ Entertainment about why she signed up for the popular dancing show, Cassin said she wanted to step outside her usual routine and break from the norm.
"At this stage of my life, I want to do new things and not be afraid. And to experience things in a positive sense - that really is what it comes down to," she explained.
She added: "I hope that other people would feel the same. You know, you can get a bit safe and a bit caught in your own routine."
On Sunday's first episode, Cassin and her professional partner, Robert Rowiński, were awarded an impressive 23 points for their foxtrot.
Watch: Anne Cassin and Robert Rowiński's Foxtrot
Cassin also revealed that a message from her sister, sent just hours before Sunday’s show, put a huge smile on her face.
"I got a lovely message from my sister today - she sent me a voicemail - and it was the nicest message I’ve gotten," she said. "She said, 'We’re all here for you. We all talk about doing things out of our comfort zone, but you’re actually doing it - and you’re doing it in a really public way.’ They’re not television people at all, so that meant a lot to me."
Next week’s episode of Dancing with the Stars will see the first elimination take place - a week earlier than in previous series.
Dancing with the Stars airs Sundays on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player at 6.30pm.
You can catch up on Sunday's show here: As it happened: Dancing with the Stars returns!
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