The Mrs. Brown’s Boys star turned dancer has thanked the RTE show for improving his fitness after initially losing three stone during the pandemic – he also praises partner Tina for her support
Danny O’Carroll’s fitness and weight loss journey fell off following his separation and meeting girlfriend Tina – but Dancing With The Stars has put him back on track.
The Mrs Brown’s Boys star lost three stone during the pandemic after making changes to his daily diet as well as taking up running.
But when the actor started a new relationship following the end of his marriage, he noticed the weight started to creep back on.
Danny told RSVP Live: “I did get into that whole fitness thing and lost a lot of weight. It was the best I ever felt in my life.
“Then I went through a separation. After a year or so, I was still in good shape and looking after myself, but then I met my partner Tina.
“I started having lazy days on the couch, watching Netflix, chilling, having a few vodkas and Cokes. Slowly but surely the weight started coming back on, as much as I was trying to keep it off. I wasn’t as strict about it.”
Training every day for the hit RTE dance show has put the Buster Brady star back on track – and this time, he wants to make sure he stays fit.
“With Dancing With The Stars, I cannot tell you the weight I am losing,” Danny said.
“They had to punch a hole in my belt last Sunday. I’ve lost two and half inches off my waist. It comes off you so fast.
“After the show is over, my main aim is to keep this fitness up and try to be as healthy as possible.”
Danny often travels with his family for Mrs Brown’s Boys live shows and touring can have an impact on his diet. However, the Dubliner is determined to continue this healthy buzz.
He said: “It’s tough when you’re on tour as well and you’re having a drink after every show. But I’m going to concentrate on being healthy, because I feel great and I feel really fit.”
He joked that his professional dance partner Salome Chachua keeps him in check too: “Salome is always on to me as well, saying, ‘Suck that belly in, straighten that spine’. The weight is falling off me thank God, so I’d like to keep it up after the show.”
Not only has Danny’s physical health improved as a result of learning how to dance, he has noticed his head feels much clearer, too.
“It is so nerve racking going out in front of a live audience and knowing everyone you know is watching at home every Sunday. But when that music starts you just forget about everything. It’s hard to explain,” he said.
“But now I look forward to it every week. So is dancing a good thing for mental health? I would say yes. It helps you forget about everything for a minute, and just concentrate on music. It’s lovely.”
Danny’s girlfriend Tina has supported him in the audience each week, and the TV star says her support is also great for his confidence and self-esteem.
He said: “It’s amazing. She is incredible, seeing her in the front row every week, giving me a little fist pump and blowing me a kiss, it means everything to me.
“Tina is amazing and the most positive person I’ve ever had in my life and she’s so good for me.”
Tonight is Orchestra Week on Dancing With The Stars. Danny and Salome will dance a Salsa to Lionel Richie’s classic hit All Night Long, and he admits he is finding it hard to channel the dance’s vibe.
“This week, I’m trying my best to let myself go,” he explained.
“The Salsa is a bit sexy and Salome wants sexy Danny. I was trying to do that, but she stopped me and said, ‘Okay, we can’t have comedy Danny here, we need sexy’. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that was me being sexy. I wasn’t trying to be funny.
“If you could see me in the mirror trying to be sexy and getting my Magic Mike on, I’d be mortified.”
