RTE Dancing With The Stars judge Arthur Gourounlian was moved to tears by Joanna Donnelly’s touching tribute to Pomegranate, a charity close to her heart.
Arthur has two children with his husband, Brian Dowling, who were delivered to them via surrogacy by Brian’s sister Aoife.
Arthur Gourounlian fought back tears on Dancing With The Stars tonight[/caption]
Joanna Donnelly’s performance was dedicated to a cause close to Arthur’s heart[/caption]
Joanna’s dance was dedicated to the charity Pomegranate[/caption]
Tonight was dedication night on Dancing With The Stars, and RTÉ weatherwoman Joanna Donnelly dedicated her dance to the charity Pomegranate.
Pomegranate helps families to pay for fertility treatment.
For the dance, the 54-year-old performed an elegant Tango to the song Dreams by The Cranberries.
After finishing her dance, making her way over to the judges, Joanna was visibly emotional as she wiped her tears off her face.
Also moved by the performance was Arthur Gourounlian.
Joanna’s choice of charity is a cause very close to the heart of Arthur’s as both of his kids were delivered via surrogacy.
Fighting back tears, Arthur gushed: “Joanna, this truly touched me. Sorry, yeah, and I can still relate to this story; your passion for wanting to help and build families.
“I actually saw through your steps, the tango everything, you know, it was beautiful. I finally got told was beautiful…”
Arthur apologised as he tried his best to contain his tears, as the audience began to clap in a sign of support.
He continued: “You need to remember that everything is possible. Dreams can come true, and no matter what, you should never give up on your dreams. Keep believing and keep dreaming.”
The remainder of the judges were blown away by their performance and gave them glowing reviews.
Brian Redmond rejoiced: “I think you need to brace yourself just a little bit, because I have to say, I think that’s probably the best I’ve seen you dance…
“This is what it’s about. It’s about improving and progressing. And there’s no doubt about it, you are improving week on week level.”
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Karen Byrne, also moved by the performance, assured Joanna that she did her dedication justice: “I’m sure Noah and all the families that you helped would be so proud of you tonight.
“Like Brian said, you are getting better every week, and that’s what the show is. It’s about progression, and after that dance, you should be very proud of yourself. It was beautiful.”
To round off the judges views, Lorraine Barry said: “I know that music is soft and that’s where that emotion comes out, but at the same time, the frustration sometimes of what people are going through, I would like to see a little bit more of that drama, just to add a little bit more to it, but saying that it was still a great dance for you. keep it up.”
Joanna finished tonight with her highest ever score from the judges receiving an impressive 24.
After hearing the judge’s critiques Joanna told viewers how much the charity means to her.
She explained: “For me, it was always important to use my voice to advocate for other people, and it’s very, very personal, intimate, silent struggle.
“People tend to not talk about it, and that’s their right to be private. But I wanted to give them the voice should they want to use it, and the access to the knowledge that there are so many more people that are going through that I loved the dance.
“I thought I was so touched that somebody could could find those movements and those steps and everything.”
