Drag artist Rory O’Neill smashed the stigma of HIV with a routine in honour of the doctor who treats him for the condition.
Rory, who is part of Dancing With The Stars’ first male duo, earned immunity during Dedicated Dance Week which saw the contestants perform in honour of their heroes. He scored the first 10 of the series after he took off his drag to perform in honour of Dr Fiona Mulcahy who has treated him for HIV for the past 27 years.
Rory, 54, aka Panti Bliss, and partner Denys Samson danced a Paso Doble to It’s A Sin. He said: “I was diagnosed in 1996. She told me that I probably could live five to 10 years if I was lucky.
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“I was only 27 at the time. I knew people already who had died from AIDS-related illnesses. Today, HIV is an easily managed condition. It is serious this week what we’re doing. Performing out of drag shows that in a way.
“It’s important to realise you can be a 54-year-old living with HIV and still dancing live on TV every Sunday and making a fool of yourself. Twenty-seven years ago I didn’t expect to be here today and I certainly didn’t expect to be on RTE One.
“I’m trying to combat the stigma that still clings to HIV. This seemed like a very good opportunity to speak to the public at large about it.”
Rory and Denys topped the leader-board with 29 points.
Former rugby player Shane Byrne danced in honour of Munster legend Anthony “Axel” Foley who died in 2016 aged just 42.
He paid tribute to his former Ireland rugby team-mate with a Viennese Waltz to We Are The Champions. After scoring 23 points Shane said: “Anthony was one of those guys you could build a team on the back of. Thinking of him brings up some pain. But we want to celebrate everything Anthony stood for.”
Glee star Damian McGinty performed a contemporary ballroom routine to Forever Young for his castmates, including the late Cory Monteith, who died aged 31, and Naya Rivera, who passed away aged 33. He said: “Glee was an experience that was huge. Cory Monteith was like a big brother figure on the show and in life.
“It’s tragic what happened to Naya and Cory and it’s worth remembering the great that they did. A lot of highs, a lot of lows and life-defining things. It really changed my life.” He scored 27 points.
2FM presenter Carl Mullan was awarded 23 points for his jive to Higher Power in honour of his son Daibhi. He said: “I want this dance to be as great as it possibly can be so I have something I can look back on that I am really proud of.”
Blogger-turned-businesswoman Suzanne Jackson scored 23 points with a Cha Cha to What A Feeling for her parents Susan and Damian, who celebrated their 40th anniversary.
She said: “They’re such a loving duo. They flirt, still. It’s nice to see after 40 years they still have a spark.”
Comedian Kevin McGahern scored 24 points for a Paso Doble to Smells Like Teen Spirit in honour of his daughter Wallis. Eurovision singer Brooke Scullion earned 25 points for a waltz to Breakaway dedicated to her mum Tracy.
She said: “Parents always put themselves last and my mummy is guilty of that. I know I was an awful child to raise but you did a really good job.”
And soccer star Stephanie Roche was awarded 23 points for her contemporary ballroom to Fight Song in honour of Ireland’s women’s national football team.
She said: “The Irish team has always had that sense of togetherness. I’m very proud of playing for Ireland and my teammates.”
There was no elimination from the show so all couples will dance again next week. Rory has immunity and will be exempt from the dreaded first dance-off of the series next Sunday.
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