Des Cahill has admitted he understands how contestants can fall victim to the Strictly Come Dancing ‘curse’.
The ‘curse’ is where celebrities or their dance partner break-up with their current loves during or after the show, which sometimes results in them getting together with their Strictly partner.
The sports presenter, who is happily married, joked that he feels like an “adult in the Gaelteacht” when he sees the celebrity contestants flirting with one another.
Des has nothing but praise for his dance partner Karen Byrne, but admits their bond is similar to that between a father and daughter.
“Just because you are spending a lot of time with someone doesn’t mean you get along with them.” he told the Irish Sun.
“I’m delighted because myself and Karen get on fantastic. I’d be a similar age to her dad and she’d be a similar age to my daughter so we have that kind of relationship. The kids were slagging about the whole ‘curse of Strictly’ thing before we started.
“Now that I’m on the show, you can see how it happens. There’s all these youngsters and I’m looking at them feeling like their father in the corner.
“I cough every now and again to remind them I’m there!”
Des also revealed that he declined the offer to take part in the show when he was first asked, but then changed his mind after receiving encouragement from his wife Caroline.
“I said ‘no’ initially and then my wife said, ‘you absolutely should do it for the exercise’. I thought I’d look ridiculous.” he said.
“I’m finding it time consuming but I know I’ll look back fondly on it. I’ll be dying to watch the show next year and know how difficult they’re finding it.”
Watch Des strut his stuff tonight on RTÉ One at 6.30pm.
