Limerick local Paudie Moloney has won over the nation for the second time following his stint on The Traitors. He has now made the final of Dancing with the Stars alongside his professional partner Laura Nolan.
The former prison officer told RTÉ that it means “everything” to make it so far in the competition after having severe back problems that required major surgery. He said that he “couldn’t walk a length in this room” before the surgery, and now, 6 years on, he is gliding across the ballroom to Gangnam Style.
Moloney received a score of 24 out of 40 in his semi-final performance of the iconic song. He has garnered a massive amount of support from fellow Limerick and Munster locals but has had people from all over the country coming up to him, even sending him cards.
His response to the DWTS haters is true to his humorous self, in an interview with VIP magazine.
“I don’t read opinions. They are like noses – everybody has one. It’s called freedom of speech. And thank God we have it. People are entitled to speak. I just don’t have to listen. That’s how I see it.”
His popularity on the show was surprising to him, and he would “love to win it.”
“This is actually showing the credibility in the show, that they’re not hiding anything. If somebody is popular, then they win it. I never set out to be a popular person, I really didn’t.
I don’t know where this came from or what happened. I’m delighted with it. I’d love to win it, of course, but that’s not for me to do or say. Whatever happens, happens.”
Moloney’s famous line on The Traitors was that he is not a hugger but has certainly hugged the nation with his humour and positivity.