Pictured: Eric Roberts with (L-R) his brother in law Paddy Browne, dance partner Arianna Favaro, sister Tanya Roberts, mum Frances, wife Niamh, dad Bobby, and nephew Oisín at a recording of Dancing with the Stars on ‘Dedication Night’.
EXCLUSIVE: Donegal’s Eric Roberts has said the support of his family has meant everything to him during his journey on Dancing with the Stars.
The Ireland AM presenter, who is preparing for the grand final tonight, said he would not have been able to take on the challenge without the backing of his wife Niamh, who has been caring for their 14-month-old son Rian while he spends long days rehearsing.
“I’m dedicating every performance to Niamh,” he said.
Eric said his entire family has been a huge source of strength throughout the competition, revealing that his dad Bobby has been proud as punch watching him perform every week.
“My dad has cried every Sunday,” Eric tells Donegal Daily.
“He’s been at the show, and he will come down with tears in his eyes, and he gives me a hug, and I have to fight them back.”
Eric said he counts himself lucky to have such strong support behind him at home in Donegal.
“I have the most supportive family in the world and I have for the last few years,” Eric says.
“We do our debriefs every Sunday and they tell me what they thought I could have done differently or how I can improve. We’re all incredibly close.”
Eric with his sister Tanya Roberts, dance partner Arianna Favaro, dad Bobby, mum Frances, and nephew Oisín at a recording of Dancing with the Stars on ‘Dedication Night’. Photo Tanya Roberts
Back home, the excitement around his progress on the show has also spread through the wider community, particularly in his native Downings, where his family is heavily involved in GAA.
“They’ve all been so incredibly supportive, start to finish. My sister (Tanya) is rolling out a military-style political campaign up there in Donegal, trying to get votes every week.
“It just means so much to them, hearing my mum talk about the support as she goes around the schools.
“My dad posts a video with his friend Frank, who he goes for a swim with every morning and they do their updates and their show reviews. So it’s so heartwarming and I’m just so lucky to have such a support system around me.”
Eric and his dance partner Arianna Favaro will take to the ballroom one last time this Sunday in the grand final of Dancing with the Stars, airing at 6.30pm on RTÉ One.
The duo 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.
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: “The support at home has been unbelievable, so I would absolutely love to take the silverware back up.”
How family support made dancing dreams possible for Eric Roberts was last modified: March 12th, 2026 by Rachel McLaughlin
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