Mary Kennedy has vowed she will sashay out of retirement as she flies the flag for older women on Dancing With The Stars.
The former RTE presenter, 65, previously admitted she felt a sense of loss about hanging up the mic.
But she is proving age is just a number as the public keep voting for her to stay in the contest.
Mary told Dublin Live: “I was aware of the fact that in other years the older women were gone quite early, I’m so thrilled that I’m not gone, I’m learning so much.
“You can still strut your stuff at any age, I hope there are women and men of my age that may be a bit shy and think, ‘To hell, if she can do it I’m going to give it a try’.”
After more than 40 years with the national broadcaster, she said she would be open to offers but not a full-time role.
Mary added: “I love writing too and I think change is good and I loved the 15 years I presented Nationwide, it was such an insight into lovely things that are happening around Ireland and to shine a light on them.”
This week Mary and her pro partner John Nolan will perform the tango to Scent Of A Woman but despite suffering a whiplash injury and a recurring knee problem, she added dancing has helped ease her aches and pains.
The star said: “I’m in a lot better shape than I was three months ago, it’s nice for us to open up our bodies. I have wicked knees and aches and pains because I’ve been running for 50 years.
“The whiplash is still there, I had all the X-rays but the docs said I’ll always have a bit of arthritis there, there’s no alternative, but it’s far better now.”
Despite the audience chanting “Mary” on each episode, the mum of four said she still feels “vulnerable”.
She added: “When I was doing the Eurovision, I was presenting but this is putting yourself out there and exposing yourself, it’s far tougher.”
