Downpatrick man Matthew dances his way into next round of RTE’s DWTS

Downpatrick man Matthew dances his way into next round of RTE’s DWTS

23 February 2022

LOVE Island star Matthew MacNabb was in need of the immunity vote for last weekend’s Dancing With The Stars on RTE.

The Downpatrick man scored just 12 points for a disappointing cha-cha after scoring his highest score the previous week for a poignant contemporary ballroom dance.

The dance was dedicated to his American friend Ryan Freeman who died in an accident just before Matthew went on to Love Island last August.

Despite keeping up the tremendous practice rate that Matthew and his professional dance partner Laura Nolan are known for, the dance proved a challenge for him on last Sunday’s live show.

Missy Keating, daughter of Boyzone star Ronan Keating, was the star to leave after the show’s first dance-off with her Charleston dance.

Judge Brian Redmond told 27 year-old Matthew after his dance to Dynamite by BTS: "The song was wide awake but the dancing was a bit of a damp squib. I know you were immune from elimination tonight, but I think you were a little bit immune to the cha-cha as well."

Matthew told presenter Nicky Byrne: "I didn't think cha-cha would be my strongest suit, but I wanted to go out and do my best and I think I did that.”

Afterwards, the digital marketer and fitness and mental health motivator, spoke of his disappointment on social media: “Well it’s safe to say cha-cha is not my favourite dance. 

“Not the performance I had hoped for after working well all week but more motivation to kill it next week.

“It was great to have immunity thanks to you all and we are ready to smash it in week eight.”

The Downpatrick man has a growing fan base, with 167,000 followers on Instagram.

Check out Matthew’s progress on Dancing With The Stars on Sunday at 6.30pm on RTÉ One.