RTÉ rejected a ballroom dancing show that was set to star Twink as a judge, nine years before it commissioned Dancing With The Stars.
A pilot of the show, titled Let’s Dance, was filmed at current DWTS judge Brian Redmond’s dance studio.
Panto queen Twink was to act as a judge alongside current judge Julian Benson, and Brian Redmond was to be one of the show’s professional dancers. However, Twink has now revealed that Brian was the star of the show – and they quickly realised that he should have a judging role.
“I was a champion ballroom dancer when I was 12. But after I did the pilot I said to the producers, ‘You need to get Brian Redmond to do the show’,” she told the Irish Mail on Sunday.
Rejected: Twink would have starred alongside current DWTS judges Julian Benson and Brian Redmond in Let’s Dance | RTE
“He is the real star of ballroom dancing. I am far better off watching the show and I wouldn’t do it this time around if I was asked.”
The pilot was filmed shortly after You’re A Star came to an end in 2008, and RTÉ were looking for a replacement for the prime time Sunday slot.
The same production company behind DWTS, Shinawil, pitched Let’s Dance to RTÉ, which focused entirely on ballroom dancing.
“At the time RTÉ weren’t interested in taking on a dancing show and the pilot was turned down and The All-Ireland Talent Show was picked up,” said a source.
Big fan: Twink is completely hooked on DWTS | VIPIRELAND.COM
“What a difference nine years makes, as it is one of the strongest-performing shows for RTÉ One. The fact that both Brian and Julian are involved shows Shinawil were on to something back then. I am sure Twink is happy enough being a dedicated viewer,” they added.
Meanwhile, at last weekend’s show, Twink revealed to Goss.ie that she’s “completely hooked” on DWTS, and insisted that it’s much better than BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.
“I have to say, with no disrespect to my colleagues across the water, it is a million times better, more up to date. The British one got very jaded,” she said.
