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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Entertainment
Mikie O'Loughlin & Edel Hughes

Dancing With The Stars live final to be held tonight due to coronavirus concerns

Dancing With The Stars bosses have scrapped the semi-final planned for tonight, with the live final taking place instead one week early.

RTE made the decision following "careful consideration" as the coronavirus crisis deepens.

A spokesperson said: "After careful consideration and due to the current situation and adhering to recommended guidance around coronavirus COVID- 19, Dancing With The Stars will host the final tonight instead of the scheduled semi-final."

Grainne Gallanagh, Ryan Andrews, Lottie Ryan and Aidan Fogarty will battle it out in the hopes of bagging the 2020 glitterball trophy.

As with the scheduled final, tonight's winner will be chosen by public vote.

Former Miss Universe Ireland Grainne Gallanagh and pro dancer Kai Widdrington on Dancing With The Stars (Kyran O'Brien)

It's been a tough week on set for the finalists, Grainne Gallanagh admitting she left the set in tears during dress rehearsals after an emotional week.

The Co Donegal beauty broke down as she struggled with the steps and her pro partner Kai Widdrington missed practice due to illness.

She revealed that crying was the only way to overcome the way she was feeling – because people don’t get to see that once the show goes live on Sunday.

The model told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “I am not going to lie, I am such an emotional person. When I am struggling with something, crying is my way of releasing it.

“We were both just exhausted from all of the hours of training and it was just such an intense experience.

“People don’t see that side of it, they see the glamorous Sunday night performance. The polished performance.

“It is easy to forget how much work goes into the show and it can be a very emotional experience.

“A lot of the cast were feeling the same last week and we all want to get to the final. Now that we can see a finish line, it has become a lot more intense.

“It was an emotional week and I really struggled with the samba. I was on such a high after I got through and I just can’t stop smiling."

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