Grainne Gallanagh ‘over the moon’ with Dancing with the Stars success

Former Miss Universe Ireland Grainne Gallanagh and Pro Dancer Kai Widdrington and Stephen Vincent pictured during the Final of Dancing with the stars.

Photo Credit: Kyran O'Brien Photography/kobpix — Former Miss Universe Ireland Grainne Gallanagh and Pro Dancer Kai Widdrington and Stephen Vincent pictured during the Final of Dancing with the stars. Photo Credit: Kyran O'Brien Photography/kobpix

The Buncrana woman, a former Miss Universe Ireland and a nurse who worked in Derry up until recently, was one of the final four contestants in the hugely popular RTE dance show.

While Grainne and her professional dance partner Kai Widdrington didn’t pick up the coveted ‘glitter ball’ - that went to Lottie Ryan and Pasquale La Rocca - Grainne told the Journal how making it to the final was ‘amazing’ in itself.

The contestants were due to perform in the semi final on Sunday, but due to Coronavirus restrictions, RTE made the decision to bring the final forward by a week.

Grainne said that while they were all ‘in shock’ at the news, they wanted to go out and bring some light and entertainment to viewers during a time of great uncertainty.

“It wasn’t even the shock of the final, it was the fact that the competition was done. But, there are bigger more important things going on in the world and we hoped to bring a wee bit of positivity.”

She admitted she gets ‘emotional’ when she looks back over her time on the show.

“ I have met some amazing people. I’m,so, so happy that I danced with Kai and also for Lottie and Pasquale, who are the hardest working people I’ve ever met. I think on Sunday night, the four of us all felt we deserved to be there. I said to Kai before we went out that whatever happened I’d be over the moon and I am.”

Grainne added how she is extremely grateful for the support she received across Inishowen and the North West.

“It was phenomenal. Everyone was genuinely happy for me and I can’t thank everyone enough. It was amazing to see community support like that.”

Grainne will spend another few days in Dublin before she returns home. “It feels so strange not having rehearsals. The show was such a big platform and I’m so lucky to have got the opportunity to do it. I am sad it’s over and I think most of the country was watching the final!

“I hope it offered a wee bit of escapism and if we brought that, with the way things are at the minute, then I’m happy,” she added.