RTE star Anna Geary has defended Kevin Dundon after he received “nasty” Dancing With The Stars backlash.
The celebrity chef survived five eliminations so far and despite many people criticising his dancing skills.
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.
The dad-of-three 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.
Anna, who competed on the show in 2018, has completely backed Kevin and said the competition is about “learning how to dance”.
Speaking att the Lindahls #GoodMove campaign, in association with Perpetua Fitness, Anna told The Irish Sun: “It’s not about coming in to be matching the professional dancers. It’s not about coming in with any necessary form of dance experience.
“You have to look at the person from week one all the way through to where he is now and he’s embracing what the experience is meant to be about.
“I think Kevin will be the first to say that he’s come on a lot compared to where he was.
“If you were to look at his improvement from week one to now it’s probably better than anybody else in this competition because those that are still there were already really good dancers whereas if you look at his journey, he has improved so much.
“Kevin is kind of embodying what that is meant to be about. It’s meant to be about learning how to dance. He is learning how to dance. He’s giving it his all.”
The mum-of-one explained how much “courage” it takes to “put themselves out there” on live TV each week.
She added: “Imagine if you were in that position and wouldn’t you want people rooting for you?
“I just think it’s too far. It’s entertainment and his steps mightn’t be always pitch perfect but I believe him that he’s having fun.
“People put on the fake smile because they’re terrified of doing it but they’ve still done it. But he looks like he’s having a ball.
“If you’re enjoying it, the people that are listening to you and watching are going to enjoy it as well.”
The Love in the Country host said Kevin “deserves” to be there and that although some other celebs may be “amazing” dancers, she can’t help but root for Kevin.
ANNA’S ADVICE
Anna hit out at the online trolls saying: “The next time somebody wants to write something nasty about him what I would say is they should put themselves in his position.
“I thought it was a real shame that they did that. They they made such a big thing about it.
“When did we lose sight of what’s actually important? And that’s actually people doing their thing.”
Finally, the Cork native gave some advice for Kevin saying: “All I would say to him is, ‘If you wouldn’t take their advice ignore their criticism’.”
TRAGIC LOSS
Anna also paid tribute to the late Ireland’s Fittest Family contestant Cillian Flaherty 15, who sadly died suddenly at his home back in October, just six days before the series was due for release in October 2024.
Speaking about the tragedy, Anna said: “I can’t even begin to imagine what the Flahertys are going through. Having watched the show, no doubt their extended family and friends and seeing how brilliant he was.
“We saw his heroics and he was inspiring to people and that is part of his legacy now and part of the Flaherty’s legacy as a family.”
Anna praised Cillian and his family as being one of “the nicest and most genuine” people that she’s “ever come across”.
The 37-year-old said: “They gave everybody their time, they were really popular amongst the group but they were absolute warriors and competitors.
‘SO PROUD’
“In the wider Ireland’s Fittest Family pool, so many people were rooting for them in Cillian’s absence as well because they knew how much they were going to be struggling.
“I think if anything, watching the show people probably hugged their kids that little bit tighter because they knew the fragility of life and how little did the Flahertys think when they were competing in Ireland’s Fittest Family that this was going to be arriving on their doorstep months afterwards for such a young healthy [person].
“He was just the perfect candidate for Ireland’s Fittest Family and I think they can be so proud of him and I think as a family they can be so proud that they were part of something amazing.
“Being able to see him in all his glory was probably a really special thing, although I’m sure heartbreaking at the same time.
“For them, my thoughts are with them and to say ‘condolences’ just doesn’t seem strong enough but they are extremely strong people. They’re strong characters they’re strong-minded.”
