The makers of Dancing With The Stars are in ‘secret talks’ with former X Factor host Dermot O’Leary to co-present the next series of the hit TV show, EVOKE has learned.
A source this weekend said that Larry Bass, CEO of Shinawil, the film and television production company behind DWTS, has been in contact with O’Leary - whose family come from Co. Wexford - about co-hosting the ninth series of the show with Jennifer Zamparelli.
However, it is understood that RTÉ’s financial constraints could prevent the station from pulling off what would represent a massive coup for the national broadcaster.
A source told EVOKE: ‘Larry has been chatting back and forth with Dermot trying to get him to co-host Dancing With The Stars this year. But it all hinges on money, and the reality is RTÉ most likely can’t afford him.’
The revelation comes as the embattled station finds itself under mounting political pressure to improve its financial performance.
Latest figures confirm the national broadcaster, which received a €750m bailout from the taxpayer last summer, is still struggling to recoup licence fee revenues - down more than €58m in the space of two years - following financial scandals that sparked a wave of non-payments.
Cabinet sources this weekend also expressed their growing frustration with RTÉ’s continuing sluggish fiscal performance ahead of the looming October budget.
Despite its financial problems, RTÉ sources said they are still hopeful of convincing O’Leary - one of the UK’s best-known TV presenters - to come on board.
The negotiations to entice O’Leary onto the dance floor may have come at an opportune moment for the show’s producers; it was announced just this week that his ITV game show, Silence Is Golden, has been shelved after just one season, potentially freeing him up for a stint on DWTS.
O’Leary shot to fame more than two decades ago as the original host of The X Factor, which attracted tens of millions of viewers every week.
In recent times, the affable TV personality has also stood in as host of ITV’s hugely popular This Morning show.
His connections to Ireland run deep, and he previously collaborated with celebrity chef Donal Skehan for an episode of his ITV series, Dermot O’Leary’s Taste Of Ireland.
Last week the Irish Mail on Sunday revealed 2FM presenter Laura Fox is also being considered to step in for Doireann Garrihy, who is pregnant with her first child, on the next season of DWTS.
RTÉ has so far declined to confirm whether Dancing With The Stars will definitely be returning in the New Year, but sources have indicated that the ratings hit will be back.
One station insider said: ‘It is definitely coming back. It’s all been signed and sealed… now it just has to be delivered.’
The Irish Mail on Sunday has also learned that Shinawil has already enticed six celebrities to sign on the dotted line to hit the floor this coming season.
‘Larry [Bass] is looking for four more celebs to take part. He wants to secure a really strong line-up of stars this year.
‘The six that he has signed on already are a great mix, so he’s now down to making his final four selections,’ the source added.
