The Green Post Ireland
Eric Roberts has made it clear that he has no intention of bowing out quietly from Dancing with the Stars. Speaking to RTÉ Entertainment, the Ireland AM presenter said he now hopes to remain in the competition “until the bitter end,” embracing the intensity and excitement that come with each live show.
The shift in his mindset reflects how deeply invested he has become since stepping onto the dance floor earlier this season.
From Early Nerves to Full Commitment
Roberts and his professional partner Arianna Favaro delivered one of their strongest performances yet during last week’s Fright Night special. Their energetic Charleston — set to Derek Martin’s Happy and styled with a spooky twist — earned them 39 points and propelled them to the top of the leaderboard.
That breakthrough moment appears to have strengthened Roberts’ resolve. He admitted that at the beginning of the competition, his main goal was simply to avoid being eliminated in the first few weeks. The fear of an early exit loomed large.
Now, however, his focus has changed completely.
He described becoming hooked on the adrenaline rush that comes with performing live on Sunday nights, especially when a routine lands well with judges and viewers. Rather than worrying about survival week to week, he is now determined to chase a place in the final.
Roberts acknowledged the emotional toll of watching fellow contestants leave the show. As the weeks pass, rehearsals feel noticeably quieter, and the growing sense of camaraderie makes each elimination harder. Despite that, he believes the remaining couples share a similar ambition: to stay in as long as possible and experience everything the competition has to offer.
Competition Heats Up Behind the Scenes
As the series progresses, Roberts admits the atmosphere has grown noticeably more competitive. While the early weeks were marked by open “show-and-tell” sessions where contestants casually shared details of their upcoming routines, that openness has faded.
According to Roberts, dancers are now keeping their choreography tightly under wraps. The friendly environment remains, but a sharper edge has emerged as everyone pushes to deliver standout performances each weekend. He suggested that it is only natural for competitors to hold back a few surprises, especially with the stakes rising as the final draws closer.
This weekend promises to test the remaining couples even further. Each pair will perform two routines — their individual dance inspired by either a boy band anthem or a girl group classic, followed by the much-anticipated Team Dance challenge.
In a twist that is sure to heighten the rivalry, this year’s team challenge will pit the male contestants against the female contestants. Hosts Jennifer Zamparelli and Laura Fox are set to join in as team captains, adding another layer of spectacle to what has become one of the show’s most talked-about segments.
With momentum on his side and confidence growing, Roberts appears ready to embrace the competitive surge — and, if he has his way, dance all the way to the final.
