OLYMPIAN Jack Woolley says he still felt like a champ despite not winning Dancing With The Stars — after his partner proposed at the show’s after-party.
He told The Irish Sun: “I felt like a winner because I woke up after the finals of DWTS an engaged man.”
Boyfriend Dave Stig got down on one knee just hours after Jack, 26, missed out on the Glitterball.
He’d planned to propose to Jack live on TV if he won DWTS — but had to hold off after gymnast rival Rhys McClenaghan pipped him.
However, personal trainer Dave couldn’t wait until a much-needed post-show holiday in Tenerife with Jack’s fellow finalist Kayleigh Trappe and her boyfriend Tom.
Instead, he popped the question to his partner of four years at DWTS’ after-party — with Larry Bass, the boss of show producers ShinAwil, calling him up on stage.
Taekwondo star Jack told us: “I thought he was going to wait until we got out to Spain to do it but he jumped the gun.
“And it turned out to be a great idea with all our friends and family there that night at the party. I am so happy.”
Dubliner Jack revealed they could now tie the knot as early as next year — and want their big day to be here in Ireland.
And he wants pro partner Alex Vladimirov to teach Dave the American smooth — so they can perform his highly-praised DWTS routine to The Wolfe Tones’ Grace as their first dance.
Jack said: “How fantastic would that be, hearing that song and dancing to Grace at a wedding in Ireland? I love that song, and it means so much to me.
“We are definitely going to get married here in this country and then another smaller get-together abroad. If someone wants to pay, they are more than welcome.”
Jack also shot down loons who claim rival Rhys, 25, and partner Laura Nolan were being set up to win DWTS by being chosen to dance last in the RTE One final.
Social media nuts also claim the judges gave Rhys extra praise in the final to influence the vote.
‘DID MY BEST’
But Jack said: “People can say what they want. It’s a TV show at the end of the day. I went out there and all I could do is my best.
“The result in DWTS was out of my hands. I didn’t want it to end on a bad note and about four hours after it ended, I got engaged.
“It was an amazing experience and I had so much fun.”
‘AMAZING EXPERIENCE’
But Jack admits he had dreamt scooping the Glitterball might have up for missing out on an Olympic medal by one point last year.
He told us: “I went to the Paris Olympics and hoped I was going to get a medal, that didn’t happen and I assumed maybe it would happen on DWTS and I’d get the Glitterball and it didn’t happen.
“But that doesn’t take away from what an amazing experience I had.”
GLITTERBALL STARS - ALL THE DWTS WINNERS
SERIES ONE – 2017: Former Kerry footballer Aidan O’Mahony beat the odds to be crowned Ireland’s first-ever Dancing With The Stars champion alongside pro partner Valeria Milova, beating out former Fair City star Aoibhin Garrihy and Red Rock actress Denise McCormack.
SERIES TWO – 2018: Singer Jake Carter – the younger brother of country crooner Nathan – was just 19 when he nabbed the Glitterball in 2018 with pro dancer Karen Byrne. And the dance partnership later blossomed into love for the popular pair, who confirmed they were dating months after their big win.
SERIES THREE – 2019: Popular presenter Mairead Ronan became the first female winner, landing the Glitterball with Kilkenny dancer John Nolan in 2019. The mum-of-three said her victory was proof“you can do anything you put your mind to”.
SERIES FOUR – 2020: The 2020 series finale was brought forward due to the outbreak of Covid-19, with 2FM star Lottie Ryan left in tears at clinching the trophy with pro partner Pasquale La Rocca.
SERIES FIVE – 2022: Returning to screens in 2022 after a year off in 2021 due to the continuing coronavirus crisis, ex-jockey Nina Carberry became the third woman on the trot to win the Glitterball, marking a second title for pro Pasquale.
SERIES SIX – 2023: RTE 2FM star Carl Mullan was left stunned back in 2023 when he lifted the Glitterball with pro Emily Barker. The underdog came out on top against fellow finalists Brooke Scullion, Suzanne Jackson and Damien McGinty.
SERIES SEVEN – 2024: Paralympian Jason Smyth came out on top as the 2024 series winner, with pro Karen Byrne becoming the second dancer to win the DWTS title twice. The legally blind athlete moved viewers to tears with an emotional showdance to secure the title.
