Mickey Joe Harte is swapping his green guitar for dancing shoes as he joins the eighth series of Dancing with the Stars.
The singer songwriter first came to prominence 20 years ago when he became the first ever winner of You're A Star.
Mickey Joe went on to represent Ireland at Eurovision 2003 in Riga, Latvia, performing his much loved hit We’ve Got the World Tonight. The song finished eleventh on the scoreboard, topping the charts at home, becoming the best-selling single of the year and is still fondly remembered as a timeless anthem.
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Read more: Mickey Joe Harte's life since Eurovision from TV work to becoming a grandad
Since his Eurovision days, Mickey Joe has been no stranger to the spotlight and has continued working in the music industry. We’ve Got the World Tonight as an Irish-language duet with radio DJ Cathal Minogue and toured alongside The 2 Johnnies.
Most recently, he teamed up with fellow Donegal singer Rory Gallagher to write and record a new festive duet, Hey! Home For Christmas.
Chatting about his decision to join Dancing with the Stars, Mickey Joe said: "I just thought the time felt right. Honestly, even a few years ago, I probably wouldn't have been as open to it. But I think with Eurovision last year and Bambie Thug doing so well, it felt like there's a nice buzz out there. I think it’s just the right time and I’m not getting any younger!"
When quizzed on how he will adapt to performing without a guitar, he added: "I don't have the crutch anymore, the guitar or the microphone. I tend to talk when I'm doing gigs and get the crowd going. You just have to go out there, do your thing, dance and make sure that you're on it. There’s no warming yourself into the gig, you’re straight on!"
Mickey Joe is the fifth celebrity to be announced, following this morning’s reveal of Irish taekwondo Olympian Jack Woolley.
Earlier this week, comedian Gearóid Farrelly, Mrs. Brown’s Boys actor Danny O’Carroll and former Miss Universe Ireland, Aishah Akorede were revealed as the first three hopefuls who will be vying for the glitterball trophy in early 2025.
The next five celebrity contestants joining the new series of Dancing with the Stars will be announced on the Late Late Show tomorrow night.
Dancing with the Stars returns for a new season next month on RTE One. Jennifer Zamparelli and Doireann Garrihy return as hosts, while professional dancer Karen Byrne joins the judging panel alongside Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond and Arthur Gourounlian.
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