HAVING his moves down pat will the biggest challenge for Daniel O'Donnell when he makes his Strictly debut on Saturday night.
But the Donegal singer shouldn't have to worry about confusing his tango with his foxtrot as he has all his Irish fans behind him.
"I could have the whole of Ireland come down and support me!" he joked when asked who would be in the audience for this weekend's launch show. "But my wife, friends and family will be there every week to cheer me on."
And with his competitive spirit raring to go, he's in it to win it.
"I want to go as far in the competition as I’m good enough to go and if that’s all the way then I will be thrilled," he said. "I want to win at golf and I want to win at cards so I’m sure I will want to win at dancing."
Pictured in a dashing navy and pink dance suit for the first time this week, Daniel will be have to hold his nerves when he performs live in front of the experts in an attempt to avoid the wrath of judges Len Goodman, Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood.
"When I dance on stage during my shows, I am never on the same spot two nights on a row so I obviously have to be a little bit more choreographed for Strictly and remember to be at the right place at the right time," he said.
"I just hope I can remember everything and keep the energy up."
Watch Daniel make his debut on the Strictly Come Dancing launch on Saturday on BBC OneDaniel's dance partner will be announced on Saturday evening after he takes to the floor for the first time as part of a group performance.
With no public vote this week, he'll then return to the dance studio to train ahead of the first results show in two weeks' time.
"I love the show and it’s going to be a great challenge for me," Daniel said. "When I have been asked before, I could never do it due to my busy schedule but this year I decided to take a break from touring and I was finally able to say yes.
"I’m excited about taking part and I just hope I can get the steps together on the dance floor."
Among the 15 stars also vying for the Strictly glitter ball trophy this series are TV chef Ainsley Harriott, Corrie's Georgia May Foote, TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher and Mysterious Girl singer Peter Andre.
Wicklow dancer Tristan MacManus also returns as one of this year's professional dancers.
See Daniel take to the floor on BBC One on Saturday from 7.15pm.
