Dancing With The Stars judges said there’s no favourite to win this year as the public will crown the champion on Sunday.
After 12 weeks of intense training, only Erica Cody, Ellen Keane, Nina Carberry and Jordan Conroy remain in line to lift the Glitterball trophy.
Judges Loraine Barry, Arthur Gourounlian and Brian Redmond said they won’t even attempt to predict who will come out victorious.
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Former world champion dancer Brian said, after Lottie Ryan won in 2020 despite being in the bottom two and facing dance-offs numerous times, he won’t make a forecast.
He added: “People ask me on the street all the, ‘Who do you think is going to win?’
“I think looking at the final over the last weekend, the one thing that I’ve learned over the past five years is, I have no idea…
“You know, going into the last final I would have said there’s no chance Lottie Ryan can win this.
“Because although she’s been the best dancer in my opinion of that particular season, she’d been in two dance-offs.
“So I thought there’s no way she’s going to get that public votes. You’ve got people like Jordan Conroy who’s been in dance-offs.
“Erica has been in dance-offs and some may think they probably won’t win it. So who knows, I’ve got no idea in that regard.”
Loraine, who leads the judging panel agreed, added: “It’s a dancing entertainment show. So if I put my hat on of being a judge on the dancing, I don’t have a favourite.
“I just want the best on the night to win, whoever gives that greatest performance. And then the entertainment value will come in and then the public will vote it.
“So that’s my take on this Sunday. I’m really looking forward to it.
“I think it’s a phenomenal final that we have. But yeah, there’s no favourites.”
Arthur, who also refused to be drawn on a possible winner, added: “I don’t have kids but that question is like asking someone who is your favourite child.
“I feel like they’re all my children. I think they’re all amazing finalists and they really deserve to be there for me.
“And whoever wins Hallelujah. It’s all about the public but to be honest with you, they are literally all winners for me. Yeah, I love them all.”
On Sunday’s grand final, each of the remaining contestants will take to the stage twice in a bid to win the coveted title and trophy. The final four will first take perform their “judge’s choice” number from one of their previous performances seen in the series.
They will then return for their “show dances”.
While the votes are coming in, viewers will also be treated to a performance by a special guest act, before the entire line-up for this series reunite on stage to perform one last time, before the public’s choice is revealed.
And looking back at the season, the judges said they are looking forward to watching the return of certain stars, claiming some exited too early in the competition.
Loraine said: “I think Missy Keating had a lot to offer. And you know, getting struck with the Covid perhaps that was a little bit just bad timing for her and or Ervinas together.
“I thought that was a great couple. And perhaps there was a little bit more there that we could’ve seen and enjoyed.”
Brian added: “I agree with the Loraine, I think Missy probably had more to offer.
“Neil Delamere could have had a little bit more to offer if he had have been in for a few more weeks.
“And let’s face it, even though he wasn’t the best dancer missing out on three more weeks of Billy McGuinness probably is something that everybody will be disappointed about.
“And knowing Billy, he’ll probably win the bloody show even though he isn’t in the final.”
- Dancing With The Stars final airs on RTE One on Sunday at 6.30pm.
