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CO Tyrone country star Cliona Hagan misses out on lifting Dancing with the Stars glitterball trophy

Cliona Hagan narrowly missed out on winning Dancing with the Stars. Picture by RTÉ
Cliona Hagan narrowly missed out on winning Dancing with the Stars. Picture by RTÉ Cliona Hagan narrowly missed out on winning Dancing with the Stars. Picture by RTÉ

CO Tyrone country star Cliona Hagan last night narrowly missed out on lifting the Dancing with the Stars glitterball trophy.

Ms Hagan and her partner Rober Rowinski were runners-up in the final of the RTÉ’ dance competition, which was won by broadcaster Mairéad Ronan.

Ms Ronan and professional partner John Nolan were crowned the overall winners last night after they performed three individual dances - the judges’ choice, their favourite dance and a showdance.

The couple also saw off the challenge of actor Johnny Ward and partner Emily Barker to take the prize.

Speaking after she became the first female celebrity to win the show, Ms Ronan said: "I don't have enough time to say all the things I want to say....this time last year I was sitting in the booth where my family are sitting, I was 20 weeks pregnant...I never thought a year later I'd be on the dance floor picking up the Glitterball".

Ms Hagan (29), a former music student at Queen’s University Belfast, had taken a break from her music career to take part in the hit RTÉ show.

During last night's show, she performed the quickstep to ‘Country girl (shake it for me)’ by Luke Byran, followed by a rumba to Rita Ora’s ‘Let me love you’ and her final showdance to ‘The Champion’ by Carrie Underwood.

She said that "getting to the final I feel like I've won the lottery to get here".

The judges praised her for a "mesmerising" dance and said "it takes a great performer to keep the best to last".

Speaking after the result was announced, she said: "Thank you so much Robert, I loved every bit of this experience".

Mr Ward added "Thanks to everyone, it's been a life-changing incredible experience".