Doireann Garrihy’s sister Aoibhin said she knew her little sister would be fine making her hosting debut on Dancing With The Stars – once she didn’t trip walking down the stairs.
Doireann made her hosting debut on the show earlier this month, alongside co-host and fellow 2FM host Jennifer Zamparelli.
Aoibhin spoke about her pride for her sister, saying she was “born” to do the job.
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She told us: “I knew the nature of the beast and I know what it is like there. So the first weekend I couldn’t stop thinking about her because I knew there would be so much hustle and bustle on set before that first show because you’ve all the celebrities who are absolutely bricking it.
“Then you have the full production team, and everyone has their jobs and everyone wants their department to shine… and then there is the added person of being the new girl in town.
“Jen has been so phenomenal in the role and Nicky was big shoes to fill.
“I just knew there would be a lot of nervous energy around so it’s hard not to let that in.
“But she absolutely kept her head up.
“She said to us not to come to her place and not to be in Dublin and we had to stay away because she needed to get into the zone so we were all in Clare and mum and dad were as well.
"We watched it in Doolin and I remember as soon as she appeared and she said the first sentence – we knew she was fine.
“We all relaxed then. It was just after those first few seconds. Once she managed the stairs actually,” she said laughing.
“They’re lethal. And you don’t want to have the head down. She just seemed to be fine so we all relaxed then.
“We’re just so proud. She’s absolutely flying, it’s great.”
Aoibhin – who was speaking at the launch of Irish Life’s Every Step Counts challenge, which takes place until February 15, - revealed she knew the role was for her when she called her to say she was offered a screen test.
“There was always ‘would you ever dance?’ I knew she would never dance because she had bad knees and she’s always had bad knees so she wouldn’t be able to because of the physical aspect of it.
“But yeah I remember she rang and said she had been called about a screen test.
“I knew it was for her, just because the role with Nicky, it was up in the box and I just thought, yeah having the banter with the fellow celebs, that is right up her alley and being in their corner almost. I knew it would suit her.
”And I do feel it was one that she was born to do, for sure.”
The Irish Life Every Step Counts challenge encourage both GAA club members and non-members alike to get walking with a goal of 4,000km per club.
With each additional 2,000 steps per day significantly improving overall health and reducing the risk of developing dementia and dying from cancer and cardiovascular disease, challenges like Every Step Counts are incredibly important for encouraging our nation to get active and stay active.
Aoibhin said the challenges are “great incentives” to get people to “get moving and get rewarded” for it.
“I think January is a great time to reignite and ask yourself if there are certain aspects of my overall health and wellbeing I could be honing in on a little bit more.
“It’s a great initiative. And with this you could get really rewarded with your club with thousands of euros up for grabs if you reach the 4,000kms target. It’s a great chance for people to connect as well,” she added.
Last year saw 28,600 people across the country participate in Every Step Counts with over 5.2 million kilometres walked and tracked on MyLife.
Professor Niall Moyna, School of Health & Human Performance at DCU, said: “The fact that in 2022 we saw 28,600 people engaging from almost 700 clubs over five weeks, is phenomenal.
“The overall impact walking and steps challenges have had on public health long-term is incalculable – a recent study saw that each additional 2,000 steps per day – up to 10,000 – was associated with 8-11 per cent fewer deaths and a decreased risk of both heart disease and cancer.
“That is why challenges such as Every Step Counts are so important, they bring people together with a common goal, ensuring a greater chance of success and also a sense of accomplishment, community and support.”
To register for Every Step Counts, please visit the registration page here.
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