Our dancers took some time out from their hectic schedule to answer some questions about their Ozanam Come Dancing journey so far.
AOIFE
Question 1: Do
you have any previous dancing experience?
None at all.
Question 2: What are
you most nervous about on the night?
I can’t believe I’m doing this and really hope we remember our routine on the night.
Question 3: Do you have
any funny stories from rehearsals so far?
Yes. Last week at rehearsal, Harry bent down to lift me and tore open the back of his trousers!
Question 4: Describe
your partner in three words?
Messer, sweetheart, FLIRT.
Question 5: Who are you
most looking forward to seeing in the audience on the night?
My dad. I love him so much and it would be great to make him smile.
Question 6: What
three words best describe your dance?
A complete shambles
Question 7: How do you
feel now compared to the beginning of rehearsals? (more confident, more nervous?)
I feel more nervous as the weeks go by and March 6th gets closer! Everyone tries to reassure me that it will come together – I hope they are right.
HARRY
Question 1: Do
you have any previous dancing experience?
Absolutely none!
Question 2: What are
you most nervous about on the night?
(Faceplanting) Keeping to the right steps. Not missing any!
Question 3: Do you have
any funny stories from rehearsals so far?
Have to decommission a pair of trousers due to the fact that on one of the lifts I ripped my trousers. Surprisingly big rip. At least the girls – Aoife and June — got a laugh.
Question 4: Describe
your partner in three words?
Enthusiastic, generous, sympathetic.
Question 5: Who are you
most looking forward to seeing in the audience on the night?
My parents. It’s something out of comfort zone and I’m not used to it. My parents keep asking how I’m getting on, so I’d say they are excited to see me too.
Question 6: What
three words best describe your dance?
Fast-paced music.
Question 7: How do you
feel now compared to the beginning of rehearsals? (more confident, more nervous?)
More nervous. June usually just laughs at us when we make a mistake. It won’t be the same on the night!!!
BRONWYN
Question 1: Do
you have any previous dancing experience?
None.
Question 2: What are
you most nervous about on the night?
Not being perfect.
Question 3: Do you have
any funny stories from rehearsals so far?
Lots of laughs at our mistakes.
Question 4: Describe
your partner in three words?
Fun, enthusiastic and dedicated.
Question 5: Who are you
most looking forward to seeing in the audience on the night?
All my friends and the London crew who are flying over.
Question 6: What
three words best describe your dance?
Fun, 70s, disco.
Question 7: How do you
feel now compared to the beginning of rehearsals? (more confident, more nervous?)
More confident and tired.
JOE
Question 1: Do
you have any previous dancing experience?
Absolutely none.
Question 2: What are
you most nervous about on the night?
Timing of dance moves.
Question 3: Do you have
any funny stories from rehearsals so far?
Very bad timing all the time lol.
Question 4: Describe
your partner in three words?
Very, very demanding.
Question 5: Who are you
most looking forward to seeing in the audience on the night?
My family: Ronan, Max and Deborah. Plus all my friends.
Question 6: What
three words best describe your dance?
70’s Disco vibe.
Question 7: How do you
feel now compared to the beginning of rehearsals? (more confident, more nervous?)
More confident but nervous getting closer to the date.
LORRAINE
Question 1: Do
you have any previous dancing experience?
Years ago. Salsa for a few weeks.
Question 2: What are you most nervous about on the night?
Jimmy not showing up.
Question 3: Do you have
any funny stories from rehearsals so far?
Loving the cape.
Question 4: Describe your partner in three words?
Dedicated, eager, cool.
Question 5: Who are you
most looking forward to seeing in the audience on the night?
Everyone that comes to see us.
Question 6: What
three words best describe your dance?
Feisty, fun, dramatic.
Question 7: How do you
feel now compared to the beginning of rehearsals? (more confident, more nervous?)
More nervous.
JIMMY
Question 1: Do
you have any previous dancing experience?
No.
Question 2: What are
you most nervous about on the night?
Getting it wrong and letting Lorraine and our supporters down.
Question 3: Do you have
any funny stories from rehearsals so far?
No, but we are having great fun so far.
Question 4: Describe your partner in three words?
Works too hard.
Question 5: Who are you most looking forward to seeing in the audience on the night?
My wife and family and friends.
Question 6: What
three words best describe your dance?
Hard to learn.
Question 7: How do you
feel now compared to the beginning of rehearsals? (more confident, more nervous?)
A little bit more confident but strangely getting more nervous as the 6th of March approaches too.
MARIA
Question 1: Do
you have any previous dancing experience?
No. I did a bit of Ballet when I was in Grade School.
Question 2: What are
you most nervous about on the night?
Forgetting the routine.
Question 3: Do you have any funny stories from rehearsals so far?
Yes, when the routine is upside down.
Question 4: Describe
your partner in three words?
Magnificent, too patient, very professional (knows the Salsa by heart).
Question 5: Who are you most looking forward to seeing in the audience on the night?
My colleagues and my husband.
Question 6: What
three words best describe your dance?
Flirting, fun and encouraging.
Question 7: How do you
feel now compared to the beginning of rehearsals? (more confident, more nervous?)
Nervous and scared.
MARCUS
Question 1: Do
you have any previous dancing experience?
Yes, I learned ballroom dancing when I was 18 and I have danced Salsa the last 15 years.
Question 2: What are you most nervous about on the night?
Forgetting turning my hat on the right spot.
Question 3: Do you have any funny stories from rehearsals so far?
For every practice, I forget the routine. My partner knows this and is laughing every time we start.
Question 4: Describe
your partner in three words?
Good temperament, quick learner, surprise.
Question 5: Who are you most looking forward to seeing in the audience on the night?
A lot of people. They want to see a nice professional show.
Question 6: What
three words best describe your dance?
Lots of spinning, funny element, flirting.
Question 7: How do you
feel now compared to the beginning of rehearsals? (more confident, more nervous?)
More confident.
SHARYN
Question 1: Do you have any previous dancing experience?
10 years ago, I joined a Salsa class and danced socially for about 5 years.
Question 2: What are you most nervous about on the night?
Finding out I suffer stage fright or falling over.
Question 3: Do you have any funny stories from rehearsals so far?
I managed to give myself mini-whiplash practicing our lift at home but nothing a bit of dry needling and deep heat wouldn’t fix. Plus our son always wants to join in when we dance – he’s five.
Question 4: Describe
your partner in three words?
Loving, loyal and handsome.
Question 5: Who are you most looking forward to seeing in the audience on the night?
My sister Allison and all my besties.
Question 6: What
three words best describe your dance?
Fast, fast and fun.
Question 7: How do you
feel now compared to the beginning of rehearsals? (more confident, more nervous?)
More nervous but very excited.
PRZEMEK
Question 1: Do
you have any previous dancing experience?
Just a bit. A few years ago I was dancing the Salsa.
Question 2: What are
you most nervous about on the night?
A mixture of feeling, but the most important is going to be just the first few steps.
Question 3: Do you have
any funny stories from rehearsals so far?
None so far.
Question 4: Describe your partner in three words?
Most amazing woman.
Question 5: Who are you
most looking forward to seeing in the audience on the night?
All my friends.
Question 6: What
three words best describe your dance?
So fricking fast.
Question 7: How do you
feel now compared to the beginning of rehearsals? (more confident, more nervous?)
I think I’m more nervous now but also excited.
SUSAN
Question 1: Do
you have any previous dancing experience?
Yes, I teach the Active Retirement in Ozanam House and the Saturday Club.
Question 2: What are you most nervous about on the night?
Messing up or falling over.
Question 3: Do you have any funny stories from rehearsals so far?
It’s all been funny and looking at the concentration on Paul’s face is hilarious.
Question 4: Describe
your partner in three words?
Funny, dedicated, strong with the lifts.
Question 5: Who are you most looking forward to seeing in the audience on the night?
Family and friends.
Question 6: What
three words best describe your dance?
Fast, challenging, fun.
Question 7: How do you
feel now compared to the beginning of rehearsals? (more confident, more nervous?)
More confident, Paul’s been great at picking up the steps.
PAUL
Question 1: Do
you have any previous dancing experience?
No, none at all. Probably daddy dancing at a function.
Question 2: What are
you most nervous about on the night?
Getting the dance correct on the night and not pulling a muscle.
Question 3: Do you have
any funny stories from rehearsals so far?
Not really, but it has been fun at rehearsals.
Question 4: Describe
your partner in three words?
Talented, beautiful, patient.
Question 5: Who are you
most looking forward to seeing in the audience on the night?
Just family and friends, people that have supported us through this process.
Question 6: What
three words best describe your dance?
Fast, complicated, fun.
Question 7: How do you
feel now compared to the beginning of rehearsals? (more confident, more nervous?)
With the dancing; more confident.
On the night; more nervous.
ÚNA
Question 1: Do
you have any previous dancing experience?
No.
Question 2: What are
you most nervous about on the night?
Forgetting the steps.
Question 3: Do you have
any funny stories from rehearsals so far?
No.
Question 4: Describe
your partner in three words?
Funny, energetic, all-rounder.
Question 5: Who are you
most looking forward to seeing in the audience on the night?
Family, friends and Dublin.
Question 6: What
three words best describe your dance?
Energetic, bubbly and fun.
Question 7: How do you
feel now compared to the beginning of rehearsals? (more confident, more nervous?)
More confident and enjoying it.
MICHAEL
Question 1: Do
you have any previous dancing experience?
No, but I did a Strictly for ICHH at the Mansion House.
Question 2: What are
you most nervous about on the night?
I’m not usually one to be nervous but dancing in front of a crowd would be what would make me nervous.
Question 3: Do you have
any funny stories from rehearsals so far?
We do talk about how she used to teach me in primary.
Question 4: Describe your partner in three words?
Funny, energetic, bubbly.
Question 5: Who are you most looking forward to seeing in the audience on the night?
My whole family and friends.
Question 6: What
three words best describe your dance?
Groovy.
Question 7: How do you
feel now compared to the beginning of rehearsals? (more confident, more nervous?)
Much more confident.