Lord Of The Dance star Michael Flatley has said he is “confident” investigators will get to the bottom of the Irish Dancing scandal.
Last summer, the Irish Dancing Commission was informed of allegations that at least 12 Irish dancing teachers in Ireland and overseas were involved in the “fixing” of competitions.
This involved promises to award higher marks to competitors at Irish dancing events run by the commission in Ireland, the UK and the US.
READ MORE: Michael Flatley gives health update as he walks red carpet for first time since cancer diagnosis
It was then reported that records filed in the High Court revealed exchanges of text messages showing efforts by Irish dancing instructors to secure high scores for their students from fellow teachers, including the offer of sexual acts in one exchange between two male teachers.
Flatley said he supports the investigation into the allegations.
He said: “I don’t know much about it. I’m not directly connected although I do sponsor…
“But whatever it is, I know that they are great people and they will get to the bottom of it. I’m confident.”
The Irish-American former Riverdance star urged the public to get behind Irish dancing and continue to support despite the allegations.
“And this is not a time for us to desert them. This is a time for us to stand behind them. The last 50 years they have brought Irish dancing to where it is, they’ve kept it alive, they kept these little dancers learning how to dance each day so whatever it is, I ask God to give them the strength to fix it to make it better for the next 50 years.
“But I must also say thank you to them and the Irish Dance Commission and anyone who helps young Irish dancers, they have all my support.”
Michael made his first red carpet appearance on Wednesday night as he attended the 25th anniversary of Lord of the Dance at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre in Dublin after he announced he was being treated for an “aggressive” form of cancer.
Flatley said he was “feeling good” amid his cancer diagnosis as he was greeted by fans at the theatre.
He told us: “I’m feeling good, I’m feeling strong. They didn't give me much of a chance in 1996 but I’m still standing, I’m a fighter and I’m not giving up here and I will beat this.”
He said he was feeling good and was overwhelmed to be celebrating 25 years of the show.
“Thank god we're still selling out, we're still standing. In the beginning, they didn't give us much of a chance but we're still here.”
Asked how he was feeling, he said: “Feel good, definitely feel good on a night like tonight.
“All my dreams have come true. There really is a God, it's a fabulous experience to be sharing this night and be able to say thank you to Ireland and all of you have been supportive for 25 years and gave us a bit of a head start.
“Going out there against the whole world with our Irish culture and thank you for standing behind us.
“I’m absolutely thrilled, I’m overwhelmed sometimes I wish I could still be out there because I’ve got too many miles on me. I’m so proud of the dancers out there tonight and what they're able to do.”
He said it feels fantastic to be out celebrating on Wednesday night./
“It feels fantastic. It couldn’t get any better than tonight. 25 years and what a wonderful group of dancers that we have.
“It’s 25 years of different iterations of the show. I feel like we’re really at the top now. We’re at that part.
“We got to a level where it is very difficult to imagine where we go from here.
“But I’m blessed we’ve got the greatest team of dancers from the entire world and we’re so proud of them all.
“And one little interesting fact that you might like is that I’m going to have the original cast on stage tonight before the show to take a bow from 1996.
“The dream team. And not one of the dancers that are performing tonight was even born when we did that opening night at the Point in 1996.
“I’m so proud of that. I’m so proud of them all,” he added.
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