Imagine stepping out of your comfort zone so dramatically that you end up dazzling audiences on national television. That's exactly what Fair City's Stephanie Kelly did when she joined Dancing with the Stars, and now she's rallying her co-stars to follow in her glittery footsteps. But here's where it gets intriguing: Kelly isn't just stopping at her own success—she's already got her eye on three specific co-stars she believes would shine just as brightly under the spotlight.
In a recent chat with RTÉ Entertainment, Kelly, who brings the character of Sash Bishop to life on Fair City, revealed that her experience on the dance floor with professional partner Ervinas Merfeldas has been nothing short of career-defining. When prompted to name the actors she'd love to see swap the streets of Carrigstown for sequins and spray tans, she didn't hesitate: Emily Lamey (Gwen), Joe Hanley (Hughie), and George McMahon (Mondo) topped her list. 'I think they'd be fantastic,' she gushed, though she admitted, 'Whether they'd actually take the leap is another story entirely!'
But Kelly's vision doesn't stop at just cheering from the sidelines. In a playful twist, she and Merfeldas are even brainstorming a Fair City storyline where he could appear as Sash's long-lost brother—a fun idea that highlights just how much this experience has blended her two worlds. And this is the part most people miss: Kelly's journey hasn't been without its challenges. From sore feet to the pressure of avoiding the dreaded dance-off, she's faced it all with grace and determination.
This Sunday, the duo will perform a 'spooky Salsa' to Cascada's Evacuate the Dancefloor for Fright Night, aiming to secure their spot in the competition. Despite the high stakes, Kelly remains humbled by her progress. 'I’m so proud of myself,' she shared. 'I never imagined I’d make it this far. If you’d told me last year I’d be dancing on TV, I’d have laughed it off. But here I am, halfway through, and it feels incredible.'
Her gratitude is palpable: 'I’m just so thankful for this opportunity. It’s been life-changing.' But here’s the controversial part: Is Kelly’s success a testament to her own hard work, or does it highlight how reality TV can transform even the most unexpected personalities into stars? Weigh in below—do you think her co-stars should take the plunge, or is the dance floor not for everyone? And more importantly, what does it take to truly shine under those bright lights?
Catch Dancing with the Stars every Sunday at 6:30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, and don’t forget to tune in this weekend to see Kelly’s spine-tingling performance. For more TV highlights, click here: Television News.
