Jennifer Zamparelli has been announced as the new host of Dancing with the Stars.
The radio presenter is set to take to the small screen alongside Nicky Byrne to host the show in January.
Speaking exclusively to Goss.ie about her new job, Jennifer said: “It was quite intense actually, because I suppose they’ve a lot to consider and a lot to judge you on and you need to tick a lot of boxes.”
“Obviously you need to have a bit of banter and a bit of chemistry with your co-host, that’s imperative. You need to be able to deliver lines and autocue and be sympathetic and there’s a whole lot of things. There’s a whole lot of things and do it with a big, sparkly dress on.”
Since Amanda Byram announced her departure from the show, there have been a number of presenters rumoured to be taking on the role, so Jennifer feels relieved to finally be allowed to announce the news.
“Oh my god it’s so good, to finally tell people because you know in Ireland we have these ‘worst kept secrets’ that people kind of know but then nobody says. Then, is it true and then is it not true?”
“I did tell my mam and she was very excited, but to the point, she is so good at keeping secrets, that she was hiding from my dad on the phone going ‘Yeah, he’s following me into the next room. We can’t talk about it right now.'”
“I was like ‘You can tell dad, I’m sure he won’t tell anybody.’ It’s great that it’s out now and I can just enjoy it and start getting ready. I can start getting ready for one of the biggest live shows on Irish telly,” the mother-of-two continued.
“I cannot wait until the session on the Sunday nights, I heard that they’re pretty good.”
“Well, the whole process because you have getting ready for the show, the adrenaline of a live show and it’s such a spectacular show anyway with all the dancers. I’m just thrilled to be involved in it and not have to dance.”
“I have a few moves now, I got a few moves. I’m kind of less brave for putting myself out there and I’ll be presenting the show. But you know, that’s going to be exciting and a little be terrifying on the first night,” she told us.
“But luckily I have my Baldoyle mate, Nicky Byrne, right beside me, looking even more sparkling than me probably and he’ll be helping me out.”
As for her new ‘work husband’, it looks like Jennifer has already forgotten about Bernard O’Shea as she’s ready to take on her new role, co-hosting with Nicky Byrne.
“Who? Bernard who? I got my new telly husband, Bernard O’Shea you’re gone, you are laters. I got a new shinier, sparklier telly husband,” she joked.
“It’s great isn’t it! From a boyband, honestly I did the audition and I wanted to get the gig because I wanted free tickets for Westlife. I don’t want to pay for them, I didn’t want to do that and you couldn’t because they sold out in like twenty minutes. So I was hoping Nicky, you could like hook me up.”
Jennifer doesn’t want to make the new hosting gig a comedy job though, as she wants to ensure that it’s kept as an entertainment role.
“Fortunately it’s not a comedy show, it’s a family entertainment show so hopefully I can bring a bit of entertainment to it because that’s my job. We’ll definitely be a bit of fun, there’ll definitely be a lot of laughs but it isn’t a comedy show. But I won’t be cracking jokes every two minutes, that’s not my job, that’s Nicky’s job.”
The 38-year-old would love to see some particular famous faces on the show this season, as she would love Irish sports stars to take part in the competition.
“I would love to see Bernard Brogan. Hot…I can’t say that anymore, can I? No. Bernard Brogan would be a fantastic dancer because he’s an athlete. Rob Kearney is another one. Rob Kearney, he’s another good athlete. He’d be good, because he’d be fit, you know. Totally fit. A few of them in there,” she joked.
View this post on Instagram
So me and my new telly husband @nickybyrneinsta. Laters @bernardo.oshea #dwtsireland
The television star also revealed the moment she found out about the hosting role: “I was like ‘I want that job. I definitely want that job.’ I could do with a bit of glam in my life, you know it’s another excuse to get away from my family on the weekends and it’s the biggest show on telly.”
“So of course, I’m sure there is a lot of people, girls and presenters, and a lot of men that wanted it because it’s a great job. It’s great fun and I really can’t wait to get stuck in.”
After joking about having a break from her family, Jennifer said: “Does anybody want two children? A three-and-a-half year old and a nine-month-old, they’re very good. They’re good sleepers.”
“I met Vogue today and she’s very good. I met her with her little one and she’s got a knack, so maybe she could take mine as well. She’s takes her’s everywhere, she takes them everywhere. I was like ‘There will be a time in your life where you are like, I can’t take you on this job, sorry!’ and run away from them.”
“I am the master of organisation and I think when you’re a working mom you have to be. You just need to get really good at organising yourself and managing your time, which is key. I’ve learnt to do that since I’ve had Florence and now I have two, I just have to be even better.”
Dancing with the Stars is set to kick off next year with Jennifer and Nicky Byrne hosting the competition.
Check out Jennifer’s full interview below:
