The Dancing With The Stars favourite said that everyone has been there for him recently: “My family is very supportive, they’re supportive to both me and Amanda and to the kids”

Danny O’Carroll would never leave Donegal because his teenage sons, Jamie and Blake, are still living there – and his partner Tina is also from the north west county.

The Mrs. Brown’s Boys star has been splitting his time between there and Dublin while competing on Dancing With The Stars, and his family have always come first.

He recently opened up about his marriage split for the first time and he said his parents and siblings have been a great support to him.

Danny told RSVP Magazine: “My kids are still there, so I’d never be able to leave Donegal. My partner Tina is from Donegal as well. I got another Donegal girl, so I’m stuck [laughs].

“I’m playing it by ear at the moment. The rehearsal schedule changes every week, but as soon as the pro dancers start rehearsing together I usually shoot up the road to Donegal to be with my youngest son Blake for at least one night every week.

“He keeps telling me I’m doing well and to keep it up and rehearse as much as I can. He has a great attitude and that makes me feel so much better.

“My eldest son Jamie is in the audience every Sunday to support me. The support I’m getting from my family is really good. None of them thought I could dance, so they’re in total shock.”

His partner Tina also has kids, so they are working out a blended family situation where the kids always come first.

He explained: “I love her kids to bits and she loves my kids to bits, and that’s the way it is. They have their dad and my kids have their mum.

“Everybody gets on. The kids come first in everything we decide. None of this is their problem with what went on in our marriages.”

Danny’s sister and Mrs. Brown’s Boys co-star Fiona also went through a marriage break-up, so she been a big support to him as well.

He said: “My whole family has, everyone has been there for me. My family is very supportive, they’re supportive to both me and Amanda and to the kids. My family is fantastic.”

Jamie and Blake have followed in his footsteps by joining the Mrs. Brown’s Boys dynasty.

Danny said: “I’m the luckiest dad ever. Imagine being able to work with my own dad and my own family and also be able to bring my kids along as well.

“What other dad gets that? When I’m not working, I can drop and collect them from school and bring them to GAA or rugby training.

“My kids are everything to me and they’re my best friends. I want to be with them all the time.”

Danny been very honest about your weight-loss journey in the past and he has shared images online. Dancing With The Stars is also great for his fitness.

He said: “I’ve lost a stone already. The weight is falling off me, but keeping it off will be the hard part when this is all over. It’s hard not to lose weight with the hours we’re putting in.”

Danny and the rest of the cast are all very close as a group.

He said: “The only thing I don’t like about the show is seeing the hours the other celebs are putting into their routines. Mickey Joe Harte used to come out of training covered in sweat after rehearsing from 8am to 6pm and then he turned up on show day and got negativity from the judges.

“There’s a line. They gave Kevin Dundon a two at one stage. He’s having a ball and he’s one of the oldest here.

“I see the work they’re putting in and the judges pulled the carpet from under their feet. Mickey Joe was so deflated and it was horrible to see when I’m on a high.

“We’ve all become very good friends and we see each other every day. There’s always somebody coming into the dance studio or chilling on the couches in reception.

“We have great chats and you really get to know each other. I’ve made friends for life here.”

Danny’s aunt Eilish O’Carroll and his former co-star Rory Cowan have done Dancing With The Stars and his stepmum Jennifer Gibney did Strictly Come Dancing. Did any of them give him advice? “Eilish got voted out very quickly and so did Rory. Jenny also got voted out on Strictly Come Dancing very quickly.

“I am flying the flag for Mrs. Brown, so I’ll give it a good go. I don’t think I’ll get to the final, but I hope I stay in for a little while.

“Jenny had a different experience on Strictly to what I’ve had on Dancing With The Stars. I heard so much about Strictly so I came into this show with my eyes open.

“The crew and show have adopted me and you get hugs off everybody in the morning. Everyone wants each other to do well. They all love doing their jobs and it’s a happy place to be.

“I was scared coming in here because I’m so used to working with my family, on Dancing With The Stars I’m on my own.

“If any celeb gets offered to do it next year I would 100% tell them to do it and have a crack. It’s been an amazing experience so far.”

Dancing With The Stars continues every Sunday night on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player from 6.30pm

Read the full interview with Danny O’Carroll in the February issue of RSVP Magazine – on shelves now