Dancing with the Stars Grainne Gallanagh thought she’s be ‘voted out in the first week’

The former Miss Universe Ireland, model and nurse is currently impressing judges and viewers alike on the RTE dance show.

Last Sunday, she and her professional partner Kai Widdrington were the first couple to receive three tens from the judges, placing them at the top of the leader board.

Speaking to the Journal during a break from rehearsals for this week’s show in Dublin, Grainne said that when the show began, she never thought she’d receive top marks.

“It’s honestly very hard to believe, because I completely started out thinking I’d be out in the first week. I thought I’d be the more funny element than anything else, as I had never danced before and I have no natural talent - it does take a lot of work.”

She added: “It was just brilliant to get perfect scores. I got so many lovely messages from people afterwards. You could see in our reactions that we were so shocked - we were jumping up and down, which was such a contrast from our graceful and elegant Viennese Waltz!”

Grainne said she has a ‘great teacher’ in Kai.

“Kai is lovely and very patient. He needs to be with me!”

The duo recently paid a visit to her hometown of Buncrana, where they received a rousing reception.

“It was lovely. Everyone was so excited and happy for us. The two of us felt like celebrities. It’s very surreal, going to your hometown and having that reaction.”

Grainne revealed that Kai has mastered the Inishowen accent and knew what she meant when she was speaking about the ‘wains.’

She is very clearly loving her time on the show and told of how the friends she has made there have added to the experience.

“We all get on so well and just laugh non-stop. Everyone, from start to finish, has been so nice and we all really clicked. It’s a lovely experience. Obviously, the dancing is difficult and it can be frustrating when you’re not picking something up, But it’s worth it in the end. It’s rewarding when you do the dance and see how far you’ve come.”

She admitted that she does get nervous before she’s due to perform and her hands ‘be shaking,’ but the support she receives from her family and the local community spurs her on.

Grainne’s five sisters are her ‘biggest fans’ and can regularly be seen in the audience with her mother, Patricia. Her father Paddy also made the live shows recently for the first time, as he previously had farming duties to attend to.

“They’re very proud. They had seen the show before, but didn’t really follow it. Now, they’re die hard fans.”

She described the support across Buncrana, Inishowen and the North West as ‘insane.’

“I can’t get over it. Everyone has been so supportive. They’re so excited for me and it’s really genuine. There are posters all around town and I know a lot of people are watching it and voting, It’s so, so nice.”

Grainne is ‘really happy’ that the show is providing much publicity for the local area and told of how, she ‘absolutely jumped’ at the chance to take part when she was approached.

“I had no hesitation at all. I was 100% sure when they asked - I was all for it. I knew it would be a good opportunity so I thought: ‘Why not?’”

While Grainne is no stranger to the media after her stint as Miss Universe Ireland, where she placed in the top 20, all the publicity around Dancing with the Stars has been more intense.

It doesn’t faze her however, and she said it has given her an opportunity to showcase her personality and show who she is.

With many firm friendships made, Grainne said it’s a ‘bittersweet’ moment when a contestant leaves, as ‘you’re so delighted you’ve gone through, but it’s awful to see someone go.’

There are four more weeks left of the show and Grainne is ‘hoping’ to reach the final. Asked if the show has given her the bug for being on TV, Grainne said: ‘You never know. It’s obviously been a great opportunity and I think the team has made it the experience it is.”

She thanked everyone for their ‘support and all the positivity’ over the last few weeks.

*You can vote for Grainne on Sunday by texting GRAINNE to 53125 or call 0901 133 1107.