Comedian Katherine Lynch, model Thalia Heffernan, RTÉ reporter Teresa Mannion, Des Bishop and Dr Eva Orsmond are just some of the names amongst the stars who try compete in the dancing show from January on.

Commenting on her participation on the show, Dr Eva Orsmond said: “I am extremely lucky to have an opportunity like this and it could not have come at a better time in my life. I have always wanted to learn to dance and to really focus my time on it but I have never had the time. It’s like a dream come true!”

Des Bishop has also confirmed his participation on the show on Friday night’s Late Late Show.

Other names revealed include sports broadcaster Des Cahill, Big Brother star Hughie Maughan, HomeTown singer Dayl Cronin, actresses Aoibhin Garrihy and Denise McCormack and Kerry footballer Aiden O’Mahony.

Denise McCormack, who embodies Bridget Kiely at TV3’s Red Rock at the moment told to be very pleased by the chance of participating in the show: “I am thrilled to be taking part in Dancing With The Stars. It’s such a privilege. I have always loved dancing and I did a bit as a kid but to learn it professionally is a whole new challenge.”

The ShinaAwil-produced show airs on RTÉ One on January 8th, 2017. It will broadcast for twelve weeks every Sunday at 6:30 pm, presented by Amanda Byram and Nicky Byrne. The eleven celebrities pair up with professional dancing partners to practice a different dancing genre every week – with only seven days to perfect their routine before performing live.

In the first two weeks none of the pairs will be eliminated from the show. After that, from week two on, in every show one of the stars will be voted out until on the final on March 26, 2017 the first champion of RTÉ’s Dancing With The Stars will be crowned.