Former Olympic boxer Michael Carruth has quit the booze and shed weight in a bid to win this year’s Dancing With The Stars.
The 52-year-old told the Irish Mirror: “I’m getting a few pounds off me, I was bold after Christmas.
“We were in since 8am this morning, I’m doing dry January, I have to look at it as a tournament.
“We have to be at our best the whole time and you can’t if you’re going out having a few pints.”
Carruth will dance American Smooth to the Dropkick Murphy’s song Shipping Up To Boston in tomorrow night’s debut alongside former pro champ Karen Byrne.
And donning glittery costumes and fake tan is slightly unnerving for the Olympian gold medalist.
He said: “It’s a little bit more flamboyant than I’m used to. A little bit too sparkly. I’m not doing tan. I have long sleeves.
“But they’ll talk me into it, I know they will. We’ve only got our first couple of dances, I’m in a waistcoat, the shiny shoes, dazzle dazzle.
“The group practice is always fun as we’re always messing. You have to stop acting the eejit and take it seriously.”
The dad of two added he is hoping to nab votes from his his Dublin family and boxing club, but admitted he’s ready for the slagging.
Carruth said: “I train at a boxing club in Drimnagh and I work with the boxing team as well.
“It’s not what they’re going to say, its when they look at it, you know you’re going to get the reaction, ‘Ah you’re crap’.
"I’m going to have to get to the final."
- Dancing With The Stars begins on RTE One tomorrow at 6.30pm
