Video: @Eric Roberts

Downings turned out in force yesterday evening to welcome home Dancing with the Stars finalist Eric Roberts.

The Ireland AM presenter returned to his home GAA club alongside dance partner Arianna to drum up one last push of support ahead of the grand final.

Arriving in style on a Mevagh Fire Station truck, the pair were greeted by a large crowd of family and friends at the Downings GAA centre.

Eric’s nephew Oisín warmed up the crowd with a song before Eric and Arianna treated supporters to a dance in the hall.

Arianna was also made an honorary Donegal woman during the evening after being presented with a Donegal jersey.

Addressing the crowd, Eric said: “The support has been absolutely insane throughout the competition and to see it face to face now is incredible,” he said.

“I’m aware of the support but seeing it now first hand it’s overwhelming.

“This has been one of the greatest journeys I’ve ever been on in my life, it’s been so hard, so rewarding and to be in the final now is so incredible.”

Eric has been fiercely proud to represent his home, he said.

“I have such pride, coming from Donegal, coming from Downings and to have you all here now when we are at the finish line is the cherry on top of the cake.”

It’s the public vote alone who will decide the champions of Dancing with the Stars 2026, so Eric is urging fans to cast their votes to bring the Glitterball to Donegal.

He said: “We are almost there, we have the last hurdle now this weekend, so if we can get the rally going again, hopefully we can bring a bit of silverware back to the wee village.”

In the grand final this Sunday, Eric and Arianna will dance their Fright Night Charleston to ‘Happy’ by C2C featuring Derek Martin. This will be followed by ‘Can’t Hold Us’ by Macklemore x Ryan Lewis as their second ‘Showdance’ routine.

The Dancing with the Stars Grand Finale airs on Sunday 15 March at 6:30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

Watch: Downings pride powers Eric forward to Dancing with the Stars finale was last modified: March 12th, 2026 by Rachel McLaughlin