Our 12 couples are now into their fourth week of rehearsal and they’re starting to get the hang of it! We asked them a few questions about their dancing background and what they’re looking forward to for the next few weeks before the competition really heats up. Read on for their answers!
Brian & Ciara
What’s your level of dance experience prior to Ozanam Come Dancing?
Brian: None apart from showing Ciara real ballet in nightclubs.
Ciara: I did ballet for 15 years but haven’t done it in a while so can’t say I’ll be graceful on the night.
What’s been the most challenging part of the dancing so far and what’s been the most exciting?
Brian: Most challenging part has definitely been trying not to be too much better than Ciara. Most exciting part is probably how great I will be on the night.
Ciara: Most challenging would have to be remembering all the steps! Most exciting is hearing stories about the night and what it will be like.
What are you looking forward to most at the moment?
Brian: At the moment I am probably looking forward to having all the steps done so we have some idea how good I will be.
Ciara: Getting the costumes organized and seeing how much money we can raise for such a great cause!
Click here to support Brian and Ciara!
Shane & Pauline
What’s your level of dance experience prior to Ozanam Come Dancing?
Shane: I have never danced before so this is a completely new experience for me!
Pauline: Well, I love dancing! But I had a little bit of dancing experience in my past when I was quite young.
What’s been the most challenging part of the dancing so far and what’s been the most exciting?
Shane: Learning the steps, getting into the rhythm of dancing has been the most challenging part so far. Each week we are learning something new so that is very exciting.
Pauline: I suppose the most challenging part is the steps and remembering them!
What are you looking forward to most at the moment?
Shane: The lessons have been great and I look forward to it each week.
Pauline: Looking forward to completing the routine and learning to enjoy the dance
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Margo & Kevin
What’s your level of dance experience prior to Ozanam Come Dancing?
Weddings and parties – in other words none!
What’s been the most challenging part of the dancing so far and what’s been the most exciting?
The whole experience is so exciting and we are having a complete blast. The most challenging part is a lift we are doing which works wonderfully at times and no so at other times!!
What are you looking forward to most at the moment?
Every week we are learning something new so we are actually looking forward to when we have the complete dance under our belt… then we can practice, practice practice!!!
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Alice & Keith
What’s your level of dance experience prior to Ozanam Come Dancing?
Alice is an experienced nightclub dancer. She has no formal dance experience…but that doesn’t seem to stop her (honestly, you should see the videos from Croatia last summer).
Keith has basically never danced a day in his life. He openly admits to having no rhythm and two left feet.
What’s been the most challenging part of the dancing so far and what’s been the most exciting?
For Keith, the whole dancing thing has been very challenging. In particular, he has great difficulty doing a twirl without falling over. For Alice, the most challenging part has been keeping a straight face and not laughing when Keith tries to do a twirl.
The most exciting part for Alice was possibly when Keith did a twirl for the first time without falling over. The most exciting part for Keith was when he was mistaken for John Travolta one night when practicing his moves in Coppers… only messing, it was when he did his first twirl!
What are you looking forward to most at the moment?
Both parties are looking forward to lifting the cup on the night of the show. And by lifting the cup, they don’t mean winning, they mean drinking lots and lots of G&Ts/pints at the after party. They hope to see loads of their fans there (i.e. friends and family) and really look forward to a great night out with everyone and, of course, raising lots of money for this very worthwhile cause.
Click here to support Alice and Keith!
Joanne & Rory
What’s your level of dance experience prior to Ozanam Come Dancing?
Joanne: I did some dancing growing up, and some Lindy Hop and ballroom a few years ago.
Rory: I have no real dance experience except for dancing on the weekend on nights out.
What’s been the most challenging part of the dancing so far and what’s been the most exciting?
Joanne: So far the most challenging part of the dancing has been getting used to the thought of performing in front of people! The most exciting part has been the dance routine itself – it gets more fun each week and we don’t know what to expect when we come in each class.
Rory: Most challenging part is putting my feet in the right places and remembering the moves. I just love learning the next part of the dance each week. And the actual show. I’m nervous now.
What are you looking forward to most at the moment?
Joanne: At the moment I’m looking forward to learning the full dance, putting everything together and seeing everyone dance – can’t wait to see what everything is like on the night!
Rory: Getting the full dance moves finished and RIGHT. It is great fun.
Click here to support Joanne and Rory!
Lada & Anthony
What’s your level of dance experience prior to Ozanam Come Dancing?
Lada: I have learned some basics in a ballroom dancing course back in the Czech Republic years ago, but haven’t done anything since.
What’s been the most challenging part of the dancing so far and what’s been the most exciting?
Lada: For me, the most challenging thing in the last few weeks has been to find the time to practice outside of our scheduled rehearsals. Exciting is the part when I watch the video that June takes of us dancing at the end of each rehearsal where the routine is getting longer and longer each time!
What are you looking forward to most at the moment?
Lada: Chatting with the other guys in the kitchen before we start every week. And right now also to the moment when we finally finish our routine and will be able to start polishing it up! 🙂
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Helen and Jonathan
What’s your level of dance experience prior to Ozanam Come Dancing?
Helen: I have no experience of ball room dancing so very much starting from scratch.
Johnny: Does dancing at Weddings count! Thankfully I got to learn a few moves from my Mum and sisters when I was growing up!
What’s been the most challenging part of the dancing so far and what’s been the most exciting?
Helen: The most challenging is trying to remember all the steps and the timing and the most exciting is learning the whole sequence and how it fits with the music – once the timing is right of course!
Johnny: The most challenging aspect is trying to find time to practice! The most exciting part is seeing how the dance is coming together – it really is good fun and I am enjoying it a lot more than I had expected!
What are you looking forward to most at the moment?
Helen: Finally getting all the steps right and hopefully not making too many mistakes on the night!
Johnny: Ahh, it has to be the costumes… and well, also the opportunity to lift Helen as part of the dance routine!
Click here to support Helen and Jonathan!
Johanne and David
What’s your level of dance experience prior to Ozanam Come Dancing?
Johanne: I have not had much experience with dancing apart from some disco dancing as a child. My adult experience was more having fun on nightclub dance floor.
What’s been the most challenging part of the dancing so far and what’s been the most exciting?
Johanne: The whole dance has been challenging but yet enjoyable. Learning the steps and trying to keep with the time of the song has been the biggest challenge to date. However having great fun with Dave and June in the practice sessions
What are you looking forward to most at the moment?
Johanne: Completing the dance and gaining more confidence with it.
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Aoife and Greg
What’s your level of dance experience prior to Ozanam Come Dancing?
Our level of dance prior to the competition was basic. I have done some dancing when I was younger and am partial to a bop of a Saturday night! However, Greg literally has two left feet!
What’s been the most challenging part of the dancing so far and what’s been the most exciting?
Our most challenging part of the dancing so far is getting the time to practice. We both work full-time jobs with long commutes and have a baby at home so it is busy, busy, busy! The most exciting is the dance lessons, we have such a laugh with June!
What are you looking forward to most at the moment?
What we are most looking forward to at the moment is telling everyone (friends and family) about the show. They will be so shocked when they hear we are doing this. I can’t wait for them all to come along and see how much work we have put in!
Click here to support Aoife and Greg!
Ross and Aisling
What’s your level of dance experience prior to Ozanam Come Dancing?
Little to none, some dance lessons as a child. Most dance experience is out on the town on a Saturday night!
What’s been the most challenging part of the dancing so far and what’s been the most exciting?
The most challenging part is definitely remembering the routine. The most exciting part is starting to see it come together.
What are you looking forward to most at the moment?
We are looking forward to learning the whole routine and seeing what the end product looks like!!!
Click here to support Ross and Aisling!