Des Cahill is joining John Aldridge in the storied ranks of Irish sporting figures who charm their nation through appearances on RTE reality shows. (Aldo is a previous winner of Celebrity You're A Star).
Des is currently appearing on Dancing With the Stars on RTE One, showing the nation his er, unique, dancing. Last night's show was movie-themed, with Des naturally assigned the Austin Powers gig.
It was....quite something.
.@sportsdes - class act! great sport! Hahahaha! Make sure he does this on Up for the Match next Sept @grainne_seoige pic.twitter.com/aYWUYPRS6Q
— Cllr. Cathal Crowe (@CllrCathalCrowe) January 29, 2017
After the routine, the judges awarded him 14 points, with one of the judges remarking with a mixture of admiration and authentic horror:
I need a stiff whiskey after that, humping and grinding all over the floor after, that last bump n grind…. I can never look at you the same way.
RTE gave Des' grind the more family-friendly name the 'Dessie Swim'.
Presenting.... The Dessie Swim! #DWTSIrl pic.twitter.com/Kal8nnfJCJ
— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) January 29, 2017
He kicks, he swims it's #DancingDessie! #DWTSIrl pic.twitter.com/3J2VReLPUP
— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) January 29, 2017
Despite his low score with the judges, Des survived elimination thanks mainly to what his routine stirred among the voting public: namely a lot of support. The contestant who was eliminated, Thalia Heffernan, earned twenty points from the judges, showing that perhaps there is a second nation who are sick of experts.
Or at least there is a nation out there who bloody love Des Cahill.
Des Cahill as Austin Powers. It kind of works. #DWTSIrl
— Róisín Ingle (@roisiningle) January 29, 2017
Thalia robbed!! But fair play to Des Cahill for getting the reverse cowgirl in #DWTS
— James O'Donoghue (@Jamesod7) January 29, 2017
We're still in shock... 14 points for @sportsdes & @KarenDWTS #DWTSIrl https://t.co/BtLuH4Uz81 pic.twitter.com/rA1SnasHx9
— DWTS Ireland (@DWTSIRL) January 29, 2017
Worth paying the licence fee for that performance from @sportsdes. What a super show #DWTSirl is. Great family entertainment.
— Alison O'Connor (@alisonoconn) January 29, 2017
Is Des Cahill the new Ed Balls?
— John Duggan (@JohnDugganSport) January 30, 2017
Will never be able to look @sportsdes in the same way ever again 😳🙈 #DWTSIrl
— Mairead Ronan (@maireadronan) January 29, 2017
Ballyfermot girl throwing her weight around..!! Karen Byrne - you're a legend! Thanks for all your support!🤒#DWTSIrl pic.twitter.com/36aPDGicQB
— Des Cahill (@sportsdes) January 30, 2017
The ceremony of innocence is drowned. Good TV, though.
