This is the greatest character loss on TV since The Red Wedding.
National treasure and fleet-footed football pundit Marty Morrissey became the fifth contestant to be sent home from this season’s Dancing With The Stars.
Morrissey took to the dancefloor with his partner in crime Ksenia Zsikhotska as they took on a romantic rumba to Marty’s guilty pleasure ‘Lady In Red’ by Chris De Burgh.
Speaking after the performance Marty said “I’m having the best eight weeks of my life…it’s just been the best experience ever. These hips haven’t moved for ten years!!”
The judges weighed in with some positives: “I really appreciate what you did… you used the upper body to balance out the rumba… there wasn’t any Cuban action there”, and another added that “When you stand still you have an air about you… in fact I think you’re probably one of the best standing still dancer I’ve ever seen”, and fan-favourite judge Julian finished by saying “This was a very emotionally charged rumba… it’s one of the hardest dances… what you conveyed was that feeling and the emotion… I could feel your heart.”
However, in the end the duo scored just 16 points, and following the dreaded dance-off against fellow contestant Alannah Beirne, the judges ultimately decided to send Marty home, who took the defeat really well:
“To be in a dance off is not easy… all I can do is salute my fellow contestants… I’m exhausted from partying… to be part of this and to dance with Ksenia has been one of my highlights.”
However, while Marty went out with head held high, the same can’t be said for the very emotional supporters watching at home:
This like a bloody funeral when somebody gets voted out of #DWTSIrl rip Marty see yeah after the after party 😂
— Alan Finn (@AlanFinn16) February 25, 2018
Home from Ballyshannon just in time to watch the #MartyParty come to an end. 😢 Well done @MartyM_RTE 👏👏👏👏
— Jacqui Hurley (@jacquihurley) February 25, 2018
Well done, Marty Morrissey! Battled to the end. My daughter shed a tear when you spoke at the end. A couple of big #Clare #GAA matches coming up to ease you back to the real world! @KzKsenia was an absolute legend. #DWTSIrl pic.twitter.com/757Lr4HXuS
— Des Cahill (@sportsdes) February 25, 2018
Ah so the Marty Party has come to the end of the road. But @MartyM_RTE take a bow because you have entertained and made me smile every Sunday for the last 8 weeks. Show won't quite be the same now! #DWTSIrl
— Stephanie Ashcroft (@StephMcAsh) February 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/boshea5/status/967866663533236224
Cannot believe I cried at Marty Morrissey leaving Dancing with the Stars. Ahahh what is my life
— Emma (@Emmacreederzz) February 25, 2018
Very sad to see @MartyM_RTE gone but he showed what a good sport he is and wonderfully gracious after being sent home. #DWTSIrl
— Alison O'Connor (@alisonoconn) February 25, 2018
So sorry to say goodbye to @MartyM_RTE tonight, he'll be missed! #DWTSIrl pic.twitter.com/ENyQSzZJMh
— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) February 25, 2018
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