Dancing With The Stars’ Grainne Gallanagh revealed homesickness and stress of the show almost brought her to tears during Sunday’s live quarter-final.
The 25-year-old sailed through to the semi-finals this week with her pro partner Kai Widdrington but said she didn’t feel “good enough” on the night.
She told the Irish Mirror: “I didn’t expect it.
“The dance was really tough this week and I struggled a bit with it and I just thought towards the end there that I might be in the dance-off so it was nerve-wracking.
“It is a horrible feeling standing up there, I was shaking and I could feel Kai’s heartbeat, but I am so over the moon now.”
Opening up about holding back tears during the live show, the Donegal girl added: “I did yeah [get emotional], but do you know what, it is just getting to the stage now where we are so close and I just want to get to the final so badly.
“I want to get to the semi-final so badly and I struggled with this dance I was just emotional all this week.”
The nurse turned Miss Universe Ireland also told how her hectic rehearsal schedule, which usually goes from 8am to 11pm, was pushed back last week due to her partner being ill and they missed a day.
She said: “It has just been one of those weeks. I don’t think there was one thing to pinpoint, I just struggled with the dance, I missed my family, we were exhausted, we were in the morning until night rehearsing and then Kai got sick.”
Meanwhile, Grainne’s partner Kai has been tipped to replace Strictly Come Dancing’s Kevin Clifton – after being headhunted by bosses to join the tour.
After seven series and one Glitterball trophy, Kevin announced he had decided to leave his position on the UK show to “focus on other areas” of his life and career. And 24-year-old Kai has been tipped as one of the favourites to take over his dancing shoes, as it is revealed he has already signed to take part in the upcoming Strictly –The Professionals tour amid talks with the BBC bosses.
A Dancing With The Stars insider told the Irish Mirror: “Kai is friends with a lot of the dancers and crew already and has worked with some of them before on Britain’s Got Talent in the past.
“His profile, and his recent same-sex dance with Brian Dowling has seen his profile grow in popularity here and in the UK, so it could potentially be an exciting time for the star.”
