Celebrity chef Kevin Dundon is ready to embrace the magic of Eurovision as he prepares to take to the dancefloor once again on Dancing with the Stars.
With the first dance-off of the series looming, the Wexford native is hoping to avoid it - but he's determined to enjoy every step of the journey.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s show Dundon said: "I’ve really enjoyed it, and the routines are getting a little easier to learn."
"Each routine is completely different. What I am finding is that some dances suit me better than others."
This week, he will perform a Waltz to the 2017 Eurovision-winning Portuguese ballad Amar pelos dois, which he says is a welcome change of pace after a series of fast-moving routines.
"The first four weeks my routines were very fast, so it’s actually really nice for my body to get a bit of a rest with a slower Waltz. It’s quite an emotional routine, and you’ve got to lose yourself."
The training has been transformative for Dundon and the TV chef says he feels "healthier" than he did before he signed up to do the show.
"I feel great and healthier, I am not completely out of breath after a routine and I can talk, and that is pretty positive for a 58-year-old man."
Watch: Kevin Dundon and his dance partner Rebecca Scott dance a Tango to David Bowie's Let's Dance
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Dundon is particularly excited about this week's Eurovision theme as his family were big fans of the Song Contest when he was growing up.
"Eurovision was huge when I was growing up in the '70s and ‘80s at home. What I like about Eurovision is that it’s an opportunity for people to express themselves with no judgement and to a huge audience that goes nuts!"
Although he’s been working hard to improve his dancing skills, Dundon is realistic about the competition and the mix of talent on the show. He said: "This is an entertainment show, yes, it is a dancing show, but it is an entertainment show.
"People like Jack and Rhys are good dancers, but you also need people like me who are there to entertain the public - people that they can relate to, that they feel dance like them at a wedding or a friend’s party in the local pub. So, I think it is very important to be relatable to people and have the craic."
While the threat of the dance-off looms, Dundon is positive, he said: "It’s a dance-off if I get into the dance-off. So, what I am hoping for is that the public is going to keep me out of the dance-off. That is my target for this week.
"I think dancers at the end of the day will always win, but I think you need a mix of personalities going through each week.
"I think a dancer should win at the end of the day… if I stay in until the final, maybe I will become a dancer!"
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