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IT's THE JIG ONE ; Last Three Contestants Say Emotions Are Running High As They Prepare for Finale
Saturday May 19 Daily Mirror

By MAEVE QUIGLEY

THE heat is on as the countdown to the Celebrity Jigs 'N' Reels final begins.

Tomorrow night singer Peter Corry, Ros Na Run actor Gavin O'Fearraigh and Fair City star Gerard Byrne will battle to see who will become this year's champion.

And as the pressure mounts, our three stars are polishing their acts to impress judges Jean Butler, Colin Dunne and George Hook.

We asked the three finalists to give us their thoughts before the final tomorrow on RTE1 at 6.30pm.

I am really nervous.. it's going to be very tense on the night

Gerard Byrne, Partner: Paula Goulding, Charity: ISPCA

GERARD has been double-jobbing the whole way through the competition while starring as Fair City's Malachy Costello.

He's found the going quite tough but now he's in the final, he wants to win.

Gerard said: "I am absolutely knackered but in a good way.

"I haven't had a day off in about three and a half months I think but I always wake up energised after a good night's sleep.

"I am really nervous about the final - things were very tense on Sunday night at Ardmore Studios where Celebrity Jigs 'N' Reels is filmed.

"I had a feeling my time was up so the reaction I gave when I heard I was staying was completely honest - I was totally shocked.

"I could have reached into the camera lens and given the nation a hug.

"It is great and I'm thrilled for the ISPCA because in the beginning I promised them I would work my butt off - not that it would guarantee anything.

"I'm back in Carrigstown on Monday morning bright and early so there won't be much time for celebrating when the show is over.

"I suppose there is a bit of pressure as both of the show's previous winners have been from Fair City.

"I think I can speak for Peter Corry too when I say we are under no illusion that Gavin is the best dancer of the bunch.

"But we're pushing ourselves for our charity and the reason we are still in the competition is because people have been voting for us - and that's a nice feeling."

To vote for Gerard Byrne text Vote Gerard to 53600 or call 1513 71 71 01

Dancing is much easier if your feet are not killing you

Gavin O'Fearraigh, Partner: Dearbhla Lennon, Charity: Debra Ireland

ROS Na Run star Gavin has had a rough ride on Celebrity Jigs 'N' Reels.

The 26-year-old has had more than his fair share of injuries from swollen legs to a busted nose which he got from his dance partner's elbow during a routine.

But now Gavin, from Gweedore in Donegal, said he's raring to go.

He added: "Over the last few weeks my muscles have got so much stronger that I don't even have to go to a physio any more which is great.

"It makes dancing a whole lot easier when your feet aren't killing you.

"I have been practising as much as possible because we are doing three things this week - a new routine, our favourite routine and the special steps in the circle.

"Taking part in Celebrity Jigs 'N' Reels has given me great confidence.

"I am fine when I'm acting because I'm being someone else but I'm not a great speaker as myself.

"So doing live TV made me get over that pretty quickly.

"We are all very nervous this week and now that Kevin has gone, it will be a bit worse.

"But it makes things worthwhile when I think about the money I am raising for Debra Ireland.

"The charity is searching for a cure and helping people with Epidermolysis Bullosa. It's a very rare genetic condition in which the skin blisters at the slightest knock or rub, causing painful open wounds.

"I visited kids with the condition at Crumlin Children's Hospital this week and there was a little girl there who stole a little piece of my heart.

"Claudia is just three and she learned how to walk in the last two weeks which is a huge thing.

Bookmaker tips O'Fearraigh to win 'Jigs and Reels'
18/05/2007 - 14:33:14

Bookmaker Paddy Power has slashed the odds on 'Ros na Rún' star Gavin O'Fearraigh winning this week's final of 'Celebrity Jigs n' Reels' from 8/15 to 2/5 after bets poured in for the actor.

Gerry Byrne, who plays Malachy in 'Fair City', now trails in the betting at 11/4 while Peter Corry is at long odds of 6/1.

"It's been one-way traffic in the betting for Gavin," said Paddy Power spokesperson Sharon McHugh.

"This Sunday's dance-off between the three lads promises to be entertaining, but if the punters are right then it's already been won!"

Gavin O'Fearraigh wins RTE's Celebrity Jigs 'n' Reels
Ros na Run star Gavin O'Fearraigh was crowned the winner of RTE's Celebrity Jigs N Reels 2007 tonight. Gavin had been the bookies and the judges favourite from the beginning, with judge Jean Butler going so far as to say he was good enough for Riverdance!

"It was an absolutely fantastic to take part, one hell of an experience, I am really pleased especially for the charity, its raised awareness and much needed funds. The support from family and people around the country has been amazing it'll be weird not to be dancing next week. I'd just like to say thanks to everyone who voted for me." - Gavin

Second and third places went to Fair City's Gerard Byrne and third place to Belfast Tenor Peter Corry.

It was a jam packed final, with the winning couple of the Eurovision Dance Contest also announced. Mick Donegan and Nicola Byrne will go on up against 17 other countries to represent Ireland. The show will be broadcast from the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday 1st September.

There was also the welcome return of all the celebrities who took part in this year's series. They put on a great ensemble piece dancing to D:Ream's Things Can Only Get Better. They were cheered on by some of the celebrities from last year's series and the New Year show including Dana, Hilda Faye and Cait O'Riordan.

There was one final treat for Irish dancing fans, the professional dancers performed a very special routine choreographed by Jean Butler. The dancers had been working for a number of weeks on this piece.

"It's been a rollercoaster series, we never knew which way the voting would go. The judges had certain standards that were being constantly met, so the votes from the judges and the public was always tight. The contestants certainly upped the ante this year!" - Bill Hughes, Producer.
Gavin O'Fearraigh