After months of hard work and delightful dancing it’s all coming down to next Sunday’s Dancing with the Stars Final for gymnastics star Rhys McClenaghan.
And while he might be aiming to ultimately be crowned this year’s champion, along with pro dance partner Laura Nolan, he insists he wants to "really, really enjoy" his final fling around the dancefloor.
Following last Sunday’s semi-final, when Rhys and Laura danced a jaw-dropping Paso Doble to O Fortuna by Hidden Citizens, they will go into next Sunday’s decider on a high.
The judges were absolutely blown away by their performance and they received a perfect 40 points from Brian, Karen, Loraine and Arthur, which is their highest score of the season.
As for preparation for Sunday’s final, Rhys insists: "Really, it’s the same approach as we’ve had for every week. It’s a different dance every week, so this is no different to the previous weeks.
"We’re approaching it in the same way, trying - obviously - to get the dance as good as possible. Use as much time in the day to perfect it.
"Hopefully get it to the best it can be on Sunday night when we can just go out there and really, really enjoy the performance."
For Rhys, it really is a classic case of ‘if it ain’t broke - don't try to fix it’ as he approaches Sunday’s final where he’s up against fellow celebs Danny O’Carroll, Kayleigh Trappe and Jack Wooley.
"I feel like we’ve done that up until this point, so I wouldn’t change in any way to what we have been doing," says the 25-year-old Newtownards native.
"It’s a great opportunity, to see it through to the end of the show. Hopefully I’ve shown everyone back home that I’ve progressed as a dancer.
"I’d never danced until I started the show so hopefully everybody watching will be saying that last dance was way better than the first. And that would be a job well done in my eyes."
He may have never danced before entering the glitzy Dancing with the Stars, but this has been a brand new experience for Rhys on several levels.
Sure, he’s used to performing in front of an audience. And as an Olympic gymnast he knows everything there is to know about physical and mental demands.
Preparing a dance routine and a gymnastics display would be similar in that regard, but he acknowledges that that the two disciplines are planets apart in other respects.
"What’s surprised me most about being on Dancing with the Stars? I guess it’s that it’s a different world," he says. "I’m used to being a full-time gymnast in the sports world. And then all of a sudden I’m in that fast- moving, showbiz TV show world.
"It’s definitely a different world to be involved in," he adds. "It’s an experience – and I think that was one of the motivators going into the show. It’s completely different, and I got that."
And as for adding a Dancing with the Stars glitterball to his golden gymnastic achievements Rhys coyly replied: "Of course it would be nice," before adding: "But I’m surprised I’ve made it this far and made it to the final show and got to see the show to the end.
"I’m just really excited to get to perform another dance - and hopefully make people happy."
One person who’ll certainly be happy when it’s all over after Sunday is Rhys’ other half, his girlfriend Emily. After months apart, they’ll be back together again from Monday.
The couple have been preparing to move into their new home together, which will be a very special moment for them.
Then there’s also the matter of Rhys and his gymnastics career. With an Olympic gold medal behind him, he’s as determined as ever.
"For me it’s just about getting stuck into training and making that my full focus," he says. "And obviously we’ll be moving into our house together and that’s going to be a really exciting time in both of our lives.
"But in terms of my career it’s all go from here. Continue training and on to the next championship.
"This is the first time we’re going to be living together, so I’m really looking forward to that. I just want to spend as much with her as possible. And yeah - start that life together."
Given they’re both fully committed to their careers, it hasn’t been easy for them and their time together can be curtailed due to work commitments.
"Yeah, for sure," Rhys confirms. "Emily is a gymnastics coach and I’m a gymnast, so we both work unsociable hours.
"I’ve got a strange schedule and she’s working during the evening, so the only time we get to see each other is just before we go to bed at night.
"So it’s going to really nice to come back to one place together."
.svg)