Same-sex dance couple expected on switch-up week

The TV judge said she believes that "something's on the cards" for the 'switch-up' show, which sees the celebrities dancing with a different partner for one week only.

"I don't know exactly what it is, but it is the way forward and we have to be open to that and I think it will be very good," she said.

"I know Dancing on Ice have it now, and Strictly introduced it as well, so you've got to go with the times and that's what we're going to do."

Flagship

She said she expects producers will look at bringing it in for next year's show in what will be a first for the RTE flagship programme.

"I don't have the inside information on it, but this could be the test of it next weekend, to see how it goes down," she said.

The champion dancer said that the whole narrative needs to change around professional dancing and the manner in which it's taught.

"I teach same-sex couples; I teach two men and two ladies, so you have to get used to saying 'lead and follow'.

"You can't say 'well now the lady here needs to do this' because it just doesn't apply. So we need to switch the language a little bit," she said.

As the competition reaches its half-way stage, she said all the competitors are especially strong on the fourth series of the show.

However, she tipped Kilkenny GAA player Aidan Fogarty as one to watch in the contest.

"I've said it since the show started. I'm very impressed with Aidan," she said

"To be able to put up a really good frame, that is excellent."