Lottie Ryan and partner Pasquale win Dancing with the Stars
Lottie Ryan has claimed the 2020 glitterball trophy, winning this year's RTÉ's 'Dancing With The Stars'.
The radio presenter and her partner Pasquale La Rocca were crowned the winners of the four-way finale, which was brought forward a week due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The four pairs of dancers were given just a few hours notice about the schedule change, having spent the week preparing for what they thought would be the semi-final.
Lottie and Pasquale fought off stiff competition from hurler Aidan Fogarty, 'Fair City' star Ryan Andrews and former Miss Universe Ireland Gráinne Gallanagh to claim the prize.
They were both reduced to tears after the announcement was made.
The radio presenter said she had "no words" before adding, "This journey has been the best thing I have ever said yes to. This man [Pasquale] has been life-changing."
Her professional partner added that it was "a dream" to work with Lottie and that he had "made a friend for life".
There was no studio audience on the night but the dancers still gave it their all in an effort to claim the top prize in the 2020 edition of the series.
The celebs each performed once as part of a duo and once in a trio; a potential banana skin as they had just a few days to master two dances and gel with a new partner.
But there was barely a step out of line on the night.
Kilkenny hurler Aidan Fogarty wowed judges with a Viennese Waltz and an uptempo salsa, while Ryan Andrews turned up the heat with a samba before returning with an American smooth. Lottie wowed with a "fast, furious and fun" quickstep and a cha cha cha - dubbed the best of the season - while Gráinne impressed with a foxtrot and a charleston.
The judges were glowing in their praise for all four celebrities and, ultimately, it fell to the public to make the tough call, backing Lottie Ryan.
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