TV chef Kevin Dundon has vowed to go all the way on DWTS — despite Liveline radio listeners criticising his dancing on the show.
The cook survived another elimination on Sunday night, while comic Gearoid Farrelly was sent home.
Last week, a frustrated listener told Liveline host Joe Duffy they were “in bits crying” after Kevin made it through another round despite being at the bottom of the leaderboard.
However, the 58-year-old has made it clear he won’t be taking to the airwaves to answer his critics.
Kevin told The Irish Sun: “No, I don’t need to go on and defend myself.
“Controversy is great and everybody has their opinion.
“There are less angry people and more positive people because we are still in the show. The majority of people are loving it. They are keeping us in. That’s what it’s about.
“All we can do is get out there and dance and enjoy ourselves.”
Dad-of-three Kevin got emotional on Sunday night’s DWTS, telling how he was hurt about the “negative comments” — but was taking it on the chin as a pro.
Kevin told us: “I was upset initially. Obviously it’s not nice to get negative comments but it comes as part and parcel with the show.”
And his dance partner, Australian pro Rebecca Scott, claims people are much nicer off the radio.
She revealed “it’s all positive things” that people are shouting at Kevin in the street.
Rebecca said: “If anything Kevin is getting ambushed by people telling him how fantastic he is. At the end of the day, it’s a public vote and we are still here. So there are clearly enough people loving what this wonderful man is doing, to keep us here.”
Kevin added: “My son Tom was on half term last week and was with me when we dropped into Kildare Village. He was counting the amount of people who came up to me to say, ‘Well done. We love your dancing, keep it up.’
“We were invited to the opening of a new bar at the Imperial Hotel in Cork and we got absolutely swamped.
“It’s lovely to see your son have such a big heart and to love his dad as much as he does. I get emotional thinking about it and how much my daughters are loving this too.”
‘OF COURSE I WOULD’
Heading into week nine, the Dunbrody chef now has his eyes on another prize: going further on Dancing With The Stars than RTE sportscaster Des Cahill, who survived until week ten.
Kevin said: “Outdo Des? Of course I would. Why wouldn’t I? Des got to the quarter finals – so there is one more week to go.”
And Kevin added that he was encouraged by the judges who gave them 24 points on Sunday for their foxtrot to ELO hit Livin’ Thing.
Judge Karen Byrne told him: “You are improving every week. You deserve to be here and I believe in you. You make everyone smile.”
After the show, Kevin told us: “We are improving week on week. Our dances are getting better and we are picking up the dances quicker which is so important as this week we have two dances.”
‘WE ARE A TEAM’
Kevin concedes that as the oldest competitor this year he is regarded as “dad” to the other celeb dancers.
He said: “Well I am a dad and we are a team. They are as supportive to me as I am to them. You don’t want to see anybody going home. We have been together for eight weeks so it is very emotional.
“I got torn up watching the two boys (Gearoid Farrelly and Danny O’Carroll) in the dance off. That was very tough. I love each and every one of the other contestants and I’m glad people can see that too.”
GLITTERBALL STARS – ALL THE DWTS WINNERS
SERIES ONE – 2017: Former Kerry footballer Aidan O’Mahony beat the odds to be crowned Ireland’s first-ever Dancing With The Stars champion alongside pro partner Valeria Milova, beating out former Fair City star Aoibhin Garrihy and Red Rock actress Denise McCormack.
SERIES TWO – 2018: Singer Jake Carter – the younger brother of country crooner Nathan – was just 19 when he nabbed the Glitterball in 2018 with pro dancer Karen Byrne. And the dance partnership later blossomed into love for the popular pair, who confirmed they were dating months after their big win.
SERIES THREE – 2019: Popular presenter Mairead Ronan became the first female winner, landing the Glitterball with Kilkenny dancer John Nolan in 2019. The mum-of-three said her victory was proof “you can do anything you put your mind to”.
SERIES FOUR – 2020: The 2020 series finale was brought forward due to the outbreak of Covid-19, with 2FM star Lottie Ryan left in tears at clinching the trophy with pro partner Pasquale La Rocca.
SERIES FIVE – 2022: Returning to screens in 2022 after a year off in 2021 due to the continuing coronavirus crisis, ex-jockey Nina Carberry became the third woman on the trot to win the Glitterball, marking a second title for pro Pasquale.
SERIES SIX – 2023: RTE 2FM star Carl Mullan was left stunned back in 2023 when he lifted the Glitterball with pro Emily Barker. The underdog came out on top against fellow finalists Brooke Scullion, Suzanne Jackson and Damien McGinty.
SERIES SEVEN – 2024: Paralympian Jason Smyth came out on top as the 2024 series winner, with pro Karen Byrne becoming the second dancer to win the DWTS title twice. The legally blind athlete moved viewers to tears with an emotional showdance to secure the title.
Next Sunday is Country Week with celebs performing both solo routines and group dances.
Kevin said: “I’ve been told I have seven-hour rehearsals and that’s nothing to do with my dance, that’s the group dance.
“Country music won’t be a problem. I once had a restaurant in Las Vegas which was near another famous restaurant called Coyote Ugly and I danced in there many a night.”
- Dancing With The Stars is on RTE One this Sunday night at 6.30pm.
