Dancing with the Stars finalist Danny O’Carroll has opened up about how he almost quit the series “a couple of times” and admits the show is “an emotional rollercoaster”.
The Dublin, who lives in Donegal, says he does not personally want to lift the Glitterball.
BUt he said he would truly love to win if for his professional partner and mentor, Salome Chachua, who has reached the final on three occasions.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s grand finale, the 41-year old explained how he and the remaining contestants – Rhys McClenaghan, Kayleigh Trappe and Jack Woolley – are already winners in his eyes.
“I said it to the rest of the finalists. We can’t go any further, we’ve done the series. We’re all winners – so it doesn’t really matter what happens.”
He continued: “Do I have a personal goal to lift the Glitterball? I’ll be honest I’ve no interest in lifting it, but I’d love to do it for Salome. The work that she does just blows me away and the fact that she does this every year.
“This is the third time she’s been in the final and she’s never lifted the Glitterball trophy before. So, I’d love to in person give it to her,” he said.
O’Carroll: “I’ll be honest I’ve no interest in lifting it, but I’d love to do it for Salome”
Danny, who lives in Donegal with his two teenage sons and partner Tina, said he really struggled being away from his family.
“My two boys and my partner Tina – they’ve walked through this whole thing with me from day one. As much as I’ve struggled being away from them, they also struggled back in Donegal. They missed me but they pushed me so much to keep going.
“I nearly gave up a couple of times. I just missed everything at home. I’m the only one that’s here that doesn’t go back to their families every night.”
Reflecting on the experience, O’Carroll said “it’s been tough, but it’s been amazing”.
“It’s really hard to explain. When you get through every week it’s the most amazing feeling, but then you realise you’re not getting home again and you have to go through the whole process of learning a new dance again, along with going through all of the nerves every weekend again,” he said.
O’Carroll added: “But when it’s done, and you’ve done the dance, it’s the most amazing euphoria. It’s an emotional rollercoaster this show, that’s the best way I can explain it.”
“But, long story short, I think we’re all winners,” he concluded.
