Des Cahill has opened up about what a memorable experience Dancing with the Stars was but he admits he was concerned going into the show.
The sports commentator revealed that when he found out he was paired with Karen Byrne, he was worried about how people would react.
Des was 64 at the time, which meant there was a 40-year age gap between him and 24-year-old Karen.
“My biggest worry going into it all, a genuine worry, was because my dance partner was Karen, people would think ‘big fat Dirty Dessie with a young one’ I really did feel that.”
“I mean I was holding her, and I got better (at the very, very end) I was lifting her. Jesus. And we would be so close physically,” he said in new autobiography, Play It Again Des.
Thankfully the concerned were quickly proven wrong as Des became a fan favourite.
The dance couple sailed through until week 10 of series one.
Speaking previously about his relationship with Karen, he compared it to that of a father and daughter.
“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 broadcaster who is happily married also spoke about romance on the show.
“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 are all these youngsters and I’m looking at them feeling like their father in the corner.”
Des wasn’t wrong about relationships blossoming on DWTS either, as after the first season, Thalia Heffernan and pro dancer Ryan McShane became a couple.
Des’ dance partner also found love on the show, as Karen and her dance partner from season two, Jake Carter, began dating recently after she split from her boyfriend Wojtek Potazkin.
