Dr Marie Cassidy shocked the nation when she was announced as a contestant in this year’s Dancing with the Stars lineup.
The former State Pathologist swapped her lab coat for sequin. However, that’s just what she wanted to do.
“It is a complete contrast, I’ve spent all my career with very serious solemn stuff. And it’s difficult to escape from it. You can’t be seen to be frivolous when you’re dealing with important matters and important matters to families,“ she tells VIP Magazine.
“Behind closed doors, I’m not a serious person. So it was an opportunity to just say that was then and this is now. It’s an opportunity to enjoy a bit of life.“
While she admits that she’s not sure how far she’ll go in the competition she is having so much fun.
“It’s a bit of fun, I’m not looking for a career in the West End. I’ve had a lot of seriousness in my life and I don’t need anymore. Now it’s time to have a bit of fun. And I am which is the main thing.“
She jokes: “I always wanted to be a performer but I can’t sing and I can’t dance so.“
As for people’s reactions to her joining the show, she admits everything has been overwhelmingly positive.
“I must admit it can go one of two ways. Luckily I don’t do social media and with the job I had it would have been a disaster to be on it.
“My children have been keeping an eye on things and they said everyone was quite positive. I visited my kids for Christmas but when I came back to Ireland everyone has come up to me to wish me luck.“
We can’t wait to see Marie take to the floor.
Dancing With The Stars returns on RTÉ One next Sunday, January 8
