MRS Brown’s Boys star Danny O’Carroll confirmed his new relationship with Martina Wats and said: “She’s my life now.”
Brendan O’Carroll’s son went public about his new girlfriend after making his debut on Dancing With The Stars on Sunday night.
Supporting him in the studio audience was mum Doreen, sister Fiona, son Jamie, and new squeeze Martina.
Danny said he hoped attending the RTE dance show would prepare Donegal girl Martina for the glare of the spotlight.
He told The Irish Sun: “Tina won’t be used to all this type of publicity, so it’s nice to get her used to this and see how it works in entertainment.
“She is getting on very well. She is a bit shy but that’s to be expected. I love having her around and she’s an amazing girl.”
Actor Danny was previously married to Amanda Woods, with whom he has two children, Jamie and Blake — with his ex playing Betty Brown in Mrs Brown’s Boys.
However, Danny revealed how the marriage was over for some time before he stepped out with his love Martina on the red carpet of UK’s National Entertainment Awards last September.
And quizzed as to whether he was nervous posting a picture of himself and his new love under which he wrote “happiness”, Danny told us: “It got to a stage where I had to stop and get on and live my life.
“Tina is now my life. We have been going out for a while now. Everybody is happy and that’s all that matters to me.”
Returning the love, Martina shared a picture with Danny on social media ahead of his DWTS debut, writing: “To the world, he may be one person but to one person he is the world. Tomorrow he swaps his cap for dancing shoes, and I couldn’t be prouder.”
Danny revealed having Martina with his mum and sister in the studio audience had given him the confidence to take to the floor.
He said: “I was a bit nervous knowing they were coming up, then today I was so glad they were here. It made me feel I had support in the audience. It took the nerves away a little.”
Although Danny is living in an apartment in Dublin while doing DWTS, the actor said Donegal is still his home.
He told us: “My kids are up there. I would never be able to leave Donegal. Tina is also from Donegal so I’m stuck there.”
Giving the new relationship family approval, sis Fiona posted a selfie of Martina along with her mum and nephew backstage before the show saying: “Waiting to cheer my brother tonight.”
Danny finished in the middle of the DWTS pack on Sunday night, getting 22 points after delivering a smooth foxtrot with his pro partner Salome Chachua.
‘GOOD START’
Judge Brian Redmond told him: “It was a pretty good start. Your first step was a bit clunky but Buster can bust a move.”
Loraine added: “You have a very good dancing frame. You definitely have potential.”
Speaking backstage after the show, Danny told us: “I messed up at the start but Salome is such a good dancer she got me back on track very quickly.”
GLITTERBALL STARS - ALL THE DWTS WINNERS
SERIES ONE – 2017: Former Kerry footballer Aidan O’Mahony beat the odds to be crowned Ireland’s first-ever Dancing With The Stars champion alongside pro partner Valeria Milova, beating out former Fair City star Aoibhin Garrihy and Red Rock actress Denise McCormack.
SERIES TWO – 2018: Singer Jake Carter – the younger brother of country crooner Nathan – was just 19 when he nabbed the Glitterball in 2018 with pro dancer Karen Byrne. And the dance partnership later blossomed into love for the popular pair, who confirmed they were dating months after their big win.
SERIES THREE – 2019: Popular presenter Mairead Ronan became the first female winner, landing the Glitterball with Kilkenny dancer John Nolan in 2019. The mum-of-three said her victory was proof“you can do anything you put your mind to”.
SERIES FOUR – 2020: The 2020 series finale was brought forward due to the outbreak of Covid-19, with 2FM star Lottie Ryan left in tears at clinching the trophy with pro partner Pasquale La Rocca.
SERIES FIVE – 2022: Returning to screens in 2022 after a year off in 2021 due to the continuing coronavirus crisis, ex-jockey Nina Carberry became the third woman on the trot to win the Glitterball, marking a second title for pro Pasquale.
SERIES SIX – 2023: RTE 2FM star Carl Mullan was left stunned back in 2023 when he lifted the Glitterball with pro Emily Barker. The underdog came out on top against fellow finalists Brooke Scullion, Suzanne Jackson and Damien McGinty.
SERIES SEVEN – 2024: Paralympian Jason Smyth came out on top as the 2024 series winner, with pro Karen Byrne becoming the second dancer to win the DWTS title twice. The legally blind athlete moved viewers to tears with an emotional showdance to secure the title.
Previous Mrs Brown’s Boys stars, including aunt Eilish O’Carroll and Rory Cowan, have been booted off the RTE One show early.
And Danny admitted he has no idea if the popularity of the comedy will lead to votes.
He said: “I’m flying the flag for Mrs Brown’s Boys. I’ll give it a go. I don’t think I’ll get to the final but I hope to stay in a while.”
LARGE VIEWERSHIP
The first episode of season eight of DWTS was watched by 580,000 people across RTE One and the catch up station, resulting in a 40 per cent viewer share.
This is the biggest audience for an opening show since 2018, according to RTE.
- Dancing With The Stars continues on RTE One this Sunday, January 12 at 6.30pm.
