Joe Duffy and Brian O’Driscoll are said to be at the top of RTÉ’s “hit-list” for the next season of Dancing With The Stars.
Although the dance show, which is hosted by Amanda Byram and Nicky Byrne, is yet to be recommissioned – producers are already making plans for season two.
A show spokesman told the Irish Sun, “Joe Duffy is top of our hit-list. He’s a people person, a great character with a sense of fun. Joe dancing would certainly have people tuning in.”
“The fact that the show has been on air makes the conversations much easier this time around. Retired sports people are high on our wish-list, like Brian or (his former teammate) Gordon D’Arcy. Can you imagine Paul O’Connell out on the dancefloor?”
Most wanted: DWTS bosses hope to bag someone like Brian O’Driscoll for season two | VIPIRELAND.COM
“We want footballers too. We had a Kerry legend in Aidan O’Mahony this season, so why not a Dublin one in the next series?” they added.
It was previously reported that Miriam O’Callaghan was being lined up to take part in season two, but a source close to the broadcaster has categorically denied this, and insisted that she would decline any offer.
However, despite show bosses penning a wish list for season two, there is no guarantee that RTÉ will have the budget to produce the series next year, as Dancing with the Stars is the most expensive entertainment show ever made by the national broadcaster.
When asked about a potential season two of DWTS, an RTE spokesman said, “We’re delighted with the reaction to Dancing with the Stars. However, it’s too soon to confirm if the series will be returning for a second series.”
Expensive: DWTS is the most expensive entertainment show ever made by RTÉÂ
Meanwhile, an insider said, “You can never assume that RTE are going to go with another season. We would love to be commissioned, not just for one series but for several. That way we could lock down the talent that made the first season such a hit.
“For instance, our professional dancers are getting offers of work next year, so we may have to start with a brand new team. We got the green light last year in August but we hope, if we are successful, the word might come from RTE sooner.”
The news comes as DWTS is still missing one of it’s most loved faces – charismatic judge Julian Benson.
A show spokesman said, “We will make a final decision on whether Julian will be back on Friday but he remains in hospital. We certainly don’t want him rushing back if he is not well. We want Julian to be 100 per cent for the show,” they explained.
