0:00:03 > 0:00:06In Ireland, country music is more popular than ever.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10A host of new country music stars have tempted a generation
0:00:10 > 0:00:13to turn their back on the nightclub, don their Stetsons
0:00:13 > 0:00:16and jive the night away - from Ballymena to Ballydehob.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21This week, it's one step forward and two steps back,
0:00:21 > 0:00:23with Ireland's most dedicated line dancers.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26Side, rock, half sailor top.
0:00:26 > 0:00:27From Kildare to Crossmaglen...
0:00:27 > 0:00:30Six, seven, eight...one.
0:00:30 > 0:00:32..we meet the people who keep on stepping.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34It's definitely a family tradition.
0:00:34 > 0:00:35Mummy, cousins.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38I just love it. Line dancing's great, like.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41But unless you know your heel grinds from your hitch kicks...
0:00:41 > 0:00:42Your footwork must be correct.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46..you'll find yourself out of line in this ultra-competitive world.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48My body's like this cos I'm so nervous.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51With Irish and world titles up for grabs...
0:00:51 > 0:00:53This is what she's been working for her whole life.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56..who will step their way to line dance glory?
0:00:56 > 0:01:00So, your World Champion, 2016...
0:01:00 > 0:01:04Welcome to the heel-stomping world of Irish country music.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22In Ireland in the mid-1990s,
0:01:22 > 0:01:25if you weren't line dancing, you weren't living.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27Oh, it's a fierce good hobby.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29Everybody says you should have good hobbies, yes.
0:01:29 > 0:01:30A good hobby. Isn't that right?
0:01:30 > 0:01:32But since those heady days,
0:01:32 > 0:01:35two opposing camps have split line dancing down the middle.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38For me, the traditional line dance is what it's all about.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40On one side of the floor,
0:01:40 > 0:01:44traditional line dancers still tip their hat to a pure country style.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46I would say our dance is really pure and traditional,
0:01:46 > 0:01:48the line dancing that we do.
0:01:48 > 0:01:49On the other side...
0:01:51 > 0:01:55..well, they do things a little differently.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57MUSIC: 9 To 5 by Dolly Parton
0:01:57 > 0:01:59We kind of added in a lot of technique and style.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01But despite their differences on the dance floor...
0:02:01 > 0:02:04To us, it's not line dancing.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08It needs to have a wee bit of the cha-cha and a bit of the hip-hop.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11..these separate groups have one thing in common...
0:02:11 > 0:02:13It's country, it's keep her lit, that's it! Yeah!
0:02:13 > 0:02:15..a love of country music.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25Fidelma Brannigan runs Kildare's premier line dance troupe.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28Five, six, seven and forward and back.
0:02:28 > 0:02:29One and two...
0:02:29 > 0:02:31Known as Fidelma's Stompers,
0:02:31 > 0:02:33they're gearing up for the highlight
0:02:33 > 0:02:35of the traditional line dancing calendar -
0:02:35 > 0:02:36the All-Ireland Championships.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44This year, we are entering into a competition. It's our first time,
0:02:44 > 0:02:46so it's all new to us.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52The Stompers may be competing in the Championships for the first time,
0:02:52 > 0:02:55but such is the popularity of line dancing in Ireland's
0:02:55 > 0:02:58flattest county, they're entering two teams.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00This is the first time!
0:03:00 > 0:03:04We're on separate teams, so he's my competition.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09There's a lot of tension some nights at practice.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17Nowhere is that tension felt more keenly than between
0:03:17 > 0:03:20line dancing lovebirds John Reid and Annona Deegan.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24We're in different teams, but that brings a bit of competitive spirit to the...
0:03:25 > 0:03:28- We'll see on the day of the competition.- Yeah.
0:03:28 > 0:03:29I'll trip her up.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34We started off as friends and we just got together one night
0:03:34 > 0:03:36and we've been together ever since.
0:03:36 > 0:03:37A little over a year now.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45But having found love through line dancing, let's hope the All-Ireland
0:03:45 > 0:03:47competition doesn't prise them apart.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49You can see the stress levels are very high.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52There's a lot of bitching and it's just the stress levels.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54Biting the head off one another and all, but...
0:03:54 > 0:03:56I mean, we leave it at home... we leave it in the hall.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58We don't take it out with us.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07In South Armagh, professional line dancer and choreographer
0:04:07 > 0:04:10Shane McKeever is a world recognised talent.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12This is Crossmaglen. This is where I grew up.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14We're just passing the community centre.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17That's where they had a homecoming for me there a few years ago,
0:04:17 > 0:04:20whenever I'd won the gold medal in the World Dance Sport Games.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27Shane earns his living on the modern line dancing circuit,
0:04:27 > 0:04:30which broke away from the traditional form of the dance
0:04:30 > 0:04:32and is almost unrecognisable as line dancing.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38I travel all over the world now, you know,
0:04:38 > 0:04:41with the dancing and it's funny to think, you know,
0:04:41 > 0:04:44I'm just a country boy from Crossmaglen, you know.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47Like many a fella from Crossmaglen,
0:04:47 > 0:04:50Shane developed his fancy footwork on the Gaelic pitch.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57I used to train and then play matches on this pitch
0:04:57 > 0:05:00from under-eight right up to under-16.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03Most people would have chose football but, you know,
0:05:03 > 0:05:05I chose the dancing and from that I've won 18 world titles,
0:05:05 > 0:05:07so I think I made the right decision.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13Round these parts, whether it's traditional or modern,
0:05:13 > 0:05:15line dancing is in the blood.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17Five, six, seven, eight.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25Dancing has been a big part of the McKeever family and of ourselves,
0:05:25 > 0:05:28the McCusker family. One of our kids was going to be a dancer, you know,
0:05:28 > 0:05:30and it just happened to be Shane.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33You know, we argue that we think it's the McCusker side.
0:05:33 > 0:05:34It's definitely not.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37Definitely the McKeever side.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44But none of the family can match Shane's trophy haul,
0:05:44 > 0:05:47winning his first when he was just six.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50Most of these here are my line dancing trophies and this is my
0:05:50 > 0:05:53first-ever World Championship trophy when I was six.
0:05:53 > 0:05:54This is in Nashville, Worlds 2000.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57When you win the World Championships, you get your trophy,
0:05:57 > 0:05:59but you also get a belt buckle.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02I used to wear these when I was younger and competing and stuff,
0:06:02 > 0:06:04but my uncle wants to take a few here.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06He's saying he'll wear them more than I will.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16I'm very, very proud of Shane and seeing him on TV and sitting here
0:06:16 > 0:06:20and watching him, he's still our baby to me and his dad, you know?
0:06:23 > 0:06:24Well done, boys!
0:06:24 > 0:06:25You have still got it, huh?
0:06:30 > 0:06:34Shane's unprecedented success means he is in demand as a coach.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38Snap your feet right together and, boom, right up.
0:06:38 > 0:06:39Yeah?
0:06:43 > 0:06:47One of his proteges is 23-year-old Jessica Devlin from Coalisland.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50I think I was using this to just go...
0:06:50 > 0:06:51Yeah.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53- ..straight into it. - Too much power with it.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55It's just a slower spin, so hold it.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Five, six, seven, control.
0:07:00 > 0:07:01In four weeks' time,
0:07:01 > 0:07:04Jess will compete in the Modern Line Dance World Championships
0:07:04 > 0:07:08in Blackpool, where she hopes to win the ultra-competitive
0:07:08 > 0:07:09All Star category.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11Jess can do really well at the Worlds.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14The only thing that's kind of standing in her way is her own mind.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23Everybody wants to win and I think when it comes to the All Stars,
0:07:23 > 0:07:26it's just a throw-up. You just don't know. Everybody's amazing, like.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29Definitely. I think Jess has been really working hard all year and
0:07:29 > 0:07:31she's doing really well in all the qualifying competitions,
0:07:31 > 0:07:33so, hopefully, she'll do well.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35There you go. Not often I hear that from Shane.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37Usually it's like, "Do it better, do it better!"
0:07:44 > 0:07:47Modern line dancing has broken away from the traditional form and the
0:07:47 > 0:07:52dancers are expected to incorporate a range of different styles.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55It just kind of evolved over the years into what it is now,
0:07:55 > 0:07:58to try and go along with the times.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01We've added in a lot of technique and style in from other genres
0:08:01 > 0:08:03of dance like ballroom, Latin and hip-hop,
0:08:03 > 0:08:06to try and get more kids involved so it could grow
0:08:06 > 0:08:09and still be around year after year.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15Ballroom and hip-hop steps have no relevance for
0:08:15 > 0:08:17traditional line dancer John.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19He's preparing for the All-Ireland Championships
0:08:19 > 0:08:23and he never misses an opportunity to practise.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25Sometimes these shifts can be long.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29And to de-stress, go dancing most nights.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33It helps.
0:08:33 > 0:08:34Hi, guys.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41Line dancing isn't just social for John, it's life-saving.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44The first heart attack was ten years ago.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48A couple of years after that, I got into line dancing just to keep fit.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52Then I had another attack a couple of years ago.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56And I have to say, if I wasn't line dancing, I don't think I'd be here.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05With the All-Ireland Championships only two weeks away,
0:09:05 > 0:09:08John is preparing to go heel to toe against the woman he loves.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13Yeah, there is a bit of rivalry going on, but it's all good fun.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17I mean, it's my first time and Annona's time in a competition
0:09:17 > 0:09:20in the teams or the groups.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22Winning an All-Ireland will determine who wears
0:09:22 > 0:09:25the boot-cut jeans in this relationship.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27Competition's coming thick and fast and we've only got
0:09:27 > 0:09:31a couple of weeks left, so any chance I get I try and get a couple
0:09:31 > 0:09:35of minutes in somewhere and do a few steps, you know, yourself,
0:09:35 > 0:09:38because I need to beat Annona's team,
0:09:38 > 0:09:41because I will just never hear the end of it.
0:09:48 > 0:09:49Back home in Kildare,
0:09:49 > 0:09:52Annona seems to be more interested in her night out
0:09:52 > 0:09:54than beating John in the competition.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56We're heading down to Thurles for a hoedown.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58It's more a social night, actually.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01There will be people from Cork, Limerick, Kildare, Thurles,
0:10:01 > 0:10:04Kilkenny - all over, and they'll just all come together.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07And if you're going to a hoedown, it's important to look the part.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09Well, generally when we're going to hoedowns,
0:10:09 > 0:10:10we just like to bring cowboy hats.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13Some of them wear cowboy boots, some wear hats.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15They say hoedown, everybody thinks, "Oh, cowboys, Cotton-Eye Joe.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19"It's a hoedown, you get your hot pants or your cowboy hats."
0:10:23 > 0:10:28Annona's daughter, Amy, is following in her mum's line dancing steps.
0:10:28 > 0:10:33I got into line dancing because when my mum started it she had no-one
0:10:33 > 0:10:36to mind me, so she had to bring me with her and then,
0:10:36 > 0:10:39one of the nights, I decided just to take it up and try it.
0:10:39 > 0:10:44There's no other, like, dancing things or anything in Ireland
0:10:44 > 0:10:47that kids or teenagers can go out with their mum and, like,
0:10:47 > 0:10:48spend the night out with them.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54Come on, girls, are yous ready? Let's go!
0:10:54 > 0:10:56And when your partner's a bus driver, well,
0:10:56 > 0:10:58you're never stuck for a lift to the dance.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09The bus adds an aspect of the social to it,
0:11:09 > 0:11:12because the lads can have a few drinks before they get on the bus
0:11:12 > 0:11:15and then they can have a drink or two while we're heading down here,
0:11:15 > 0:11:17and it saves them driving.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20I'll pick them up and I'll drop them home.
0:11:20 > 0:11:21# I'm happy with what I got
0:11:21 > 0:11:24# Cos what I got is all I need
0:11:24 > 0:11:27# Just cos it don't cost a lot, don't cost a lot
0:11:27 > 0:11:31# Don't mean it's cheap. #
0:11:41 > 0:11:44Nights like tonight may be the last opportunity for people to brush up
0:11:44 > 0:11:48on their steps before the All-Ireland Championships,
0:11:48 > 0:11:50but for these dancers, it's all about being social.
0:11:56 > 0:11:57We come for the drinking and the social,
0:11:57 > 0:12:00and the social and the craic, yes.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03- To get away from the children. - And to get away from the children.
0:12:03 > 0:12:04It's awful important.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12Basically, you come here and the only thing you want to do
0:12:12 > 0:12:13is just enjoy yourself.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16You forget about everything that's happening outside
0:12:16 > 0:12:18and it's just your feet want to keep moving.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24Line dancing's very accessible for people,
0:12:24 > 0:12:27because it's not an expensive thing to do.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29We attend them all over Ireland.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32We go to Sligo, Cork, Dublin.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36Anywhere we can go without too much hassle, we'll be at that hoedown.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44As you can see, we've had great dancing done tonight and there's a
0:12:44 > 0:12:47good laugh with everybody, and this is what happens at most hoedowns
0:12:47 > 0:12:49that I bring the crowd to.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52So, yeah, there's good craic on the bus and they'll be a bit sleepy on the way home.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05In Crossmaglen, modern line dance coach Shane is as skilled with
0:13:05 > 0:13:08a Stetson as he is with steps on the floor.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12Only the fellas wear the cowboy hats, so this is the hat here.
0:13:14 > 0:13:15Nothing in it or anything.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Just the flat, flat base.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20I learnt this trick when I was about seven or eight.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24So, bring the hat across...
0:13:31 > 0:13:32All good.
0:13:36 > 0:13:37Yo, Jess.
0:13:39 > 0:13:40So, we'll do pro-am today.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44We'll work on the West Coast first, cos it probably needs the most work.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50With the Modern Line Dancing Championships only two weeks away,
0:13:50 > 0:13:5323-year-old Jess is training hard,
0:13:53 > 0:13:56as she bids to win her very first world title.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04My nerves are starting to build up now, because it's getting closer,
0:14:04 > 0:14:06but I think, you know, we've been working really hard,
0:14:06 > 0:14:09but there's always things I need to work better on and I think
0:14:09 > 0:14:13whenever there is even a little, small thing, in my head I blow it
0:14:13 > 0:14:17out of proportion and that's what makes me make more mistakes.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21The pressure of Worlds as well just kind of adds to the nerves.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25Jess has been working towards a world title ever since she first
0:14:25 > 0:14:27started competing, aged eight.
0:14:27 > 0:14:32These are pictures of my first-ever competition.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34So, this is when it was really country.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38This one I'm wearing, like, a wee bandanna thing around my neck,
0:14:38 > 0:14:40which is really country.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44I like to try and mess it up a wee bit and have like you're still very
0:14:44 > 0:14:46modern, but you're still country and keep the country in it.
0:14:50 > 0:14:55In Kilkenny, Ray Cahill isn't a man who likes to "mess things up a bit".
0:14:55 > 0:14:56Left, right, left.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58Touch, unwind.
0:14:58 > 0:14:59Ray is a head judge at this year's
0:14:59 > 0:15:02traditional All-Ireland Championships
0:15:02 > 0:15:03and he's a stickler for the rules.
0:15:03 > 0:15:08They will be docked marks on the day if they haven't done the dance
0:15:08 > 0:15:10the way it's actually described in the sheet itself.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13Sometimes in competition it's hard to separate them
0:15:13 > 0:15:16because their footwork is almost perfect or perfect,
0:15:16 > 0:15:20so you're trying to find something that will actually separate them
0:15:20 > 0:15:22and give you a first, second and third.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28The way I term that is how entertaining they are
0:15:28 > 0:15:31to the crowd who are actually sitting there looking at them.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33A spectator sitting there watching will say,
0:15:33 > 0:15:36"Oh, look at that girl there, she's a lovely dancer.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38"She has a nice style about her, she has a lovely attitude."
0:15:38 > 0:15:40That's what we're looking for.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48In Kildare, Fidelma knows exactly what Ray is looking for as
0:15:48 > 0:15:51she puts her Stompers through their final steps before the competition.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54Don't forget to smile.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56# You see us there on the edge of town
0:15:56 > 0:15:57# A handful of kids, settling down
0:15:57 > 0:16:00# Tell me now, what do you see? #
0:16:00 > 0:16:03But one person's bus isn't running on time.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07John is running late. Yeah.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11Oh, you're in trouble.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13- What time would you call this, John? - Ah, sorry, I was working late.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16Just had to get over. Ah, sure, I'm the best dancer here.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18Oh, well, we'll know now when you get up on
0:16:18 > 0:16:21- the dance floor, won't we? - We'll see.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23I was filling in for you AGAIN tonight.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26- Again?- Yeah.- Well, I'm here now, so no more filling in.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28They said it was the best rehearsal ever.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31- LAUGHTER - I don't think so!
0:16:35 > 0:16:39Fidelma has two line dance teams in this year's competition.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42One and two and three and four...
0:16:42 > 0:16:45With John and girlfriend Annona on opposing sides of the floor,
0:16:45 > 0:16:48both are hungry for victory.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51We have a bet going on that basically if John's team loses
0:16:51 > 0:16:54he buys dinner on the day and vice versa -
0:16:54 > 0:16:56if my team lose, I buy dinner on the day,
0:16:56 > 0:16:58but it looks like John will be buying dinner on the day.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00- I don't think so.- We'll see.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08In Coalisland, modern line dancer Jess is getting ready to leave
0:17:08 > 0:17:10for the World Championships in Blackpool.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14We have the white cha-cha accessories, black nightclub.
0:17:14 > 0:17:15- Yes.- With accessories.- Yeah.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19Jess's Nanny Bea is in charge of packing the tonne of dresses needed
0:17:19 > 0:17:21for the weekend's dancing.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25Well, I think that I just make sure that everything that we need's about.
0:17:25 > 0:17:26Nanny knows where everything is.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29- Yeah.- Even if I say to Nanny, "Don't put that in the suitcase,
0:17:29 > 0:17:31"I don't need it," I'll get to Blackpool
0:17:31 > 0:17:32and it will be in the suitcase.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35Because she's like, "You might need it. You might need it."
0:17:35 > 0:17:37And sometimes they do need it.
0:17:37 > 0:17:42# Oh, Sadie's got her new dress on, Lord, Lord
0:17:42 > 0:17:45# Sadie's got her new dress on... #
0:17:45 > 0:17:50Nanny Bea and cousin Leila know just how much winning means to Jess.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52This year in particular for Jess
0:17:52 > 0:17:55is probably the biggest competition of her life,
0:17:55 > 0:17:57cos she's been dancing from when she was ten.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59And I think I'm going to cry!
0:17:59 > 0:18:02- Aw, Nanny!- Sorry!
0:18:02 > 0:18:04Aw!
0:18:04 > 0:18:08It is emotional, because I know how much it means to her,
0:18:08 > 0:18:10so Blackpool here we come.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18In Blackpool, the queues are forming for the start of the Modern Dance
0:18:18 > 0:18:21World Championships, which take place over a full weekend.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25First in line is Nanny Bea.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29I like to get into the front of the queue because
0:18:29 > 0:18:32it's not that there's not hundreds and hundreds of seats,
0:18:32 > 0:18:37but we just have our own particular place where we like to be sitting.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47The weekend in Blackpool is a country music inspired extravaganza
0:18:47 > 0:18:51and it attracts competitors from all across the world
0:18:51 > 0:18:53who have their own unique take on line dancing.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56# Billy, Billy Bayou, watch where you go
0:18:56 > 0:18:59# If you're walkin' on quicksand, walk slow... #
0:18:59 > 0:19:04I think because I'm Latin trained, I just feel the music a bit more,
0:19:04 > 0:19:06which is an advantage in a way, and then in another way it can be
0:19:06 > 0:19:10a disadvantage to me, because I am quite wild.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13I really need to just calm it down a little bit more and bring it in.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17# And while the music keeps on playing... #
0:19:17 > 0:19:22With 18 World Line Dance Championships to his name, Shane
0:19:22 > 0:19:26is one of the 11 judges who will scrutinise the dancers' every move.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28I'll be judging Saturday and Sunday.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30In Saturday it's the heats,
0:19:30 > 0:19:33so we're just knocking people out of the heats to get to our final.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37# You might be feeling quite romantic... #
0:19:37 > 0:19:39I am a big fan of country music.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42The men have to wear a hat and boots and things like that.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45But I think that's nice, because if you have to compete,
0:19:45 > 0:19:48especially against women, we don't have all that squishy bits,
0:19:48 > 0:19:51so we can rock it in another way!
0:19:51 > 0:19:56# And though the night has just begun... #
0:19:56 > 0:20:00So for us, as judges, we're judging on the technique of the dance.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02They can add their own style on - their arms,
0:20:02 > 0:20:05their facial expressions, where they look. Other than that stuff,
0:20:05 > 0:20:07what usually grabs your attention if you're a normal person
0:20:07 > 0:20:10coming off the street and you kind of go, "Oh!"
0:20:14 > 0:20:17Shane's not allowed to judge Jess's routines,
0:20:17 > 0:20:20but he's still on hand to give some last-minute advice.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22- Ready to go?- Yes.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight...
0:20:25 > 0:20:28'I think Jess is in good shape, so hopefully'
0:20:28 > 0:20:31she's not too nervous this morning and everything will go good.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34# Hey, Mama, what you gotta do
0:20:34 > 0:20:37# To find true Papa and you? #
0:20:37 > 0:20:40As Jess prepares to take to the floor in Blackpool, in Ashbourne,
0:20:40 > 0:20:44County Meath, John and Annona are arriving for the traditional
0:20:44 > 0:20:48All-Ireland Championships, and there's not a sequin in sight.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53It may not be the Grand Ballroom in Blackpool,
0:20:53 > 0:20:56but Judge Ray Cahill inspects the dance floor.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59There's a nice little slip or slide in that.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02One of the major problems is sticky floors.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05I get complaints the whole time from people that,
0:21:05 > 0:21:07"Ray, me hips, me knees."
0:21:07 > 0:21:10I'll get in trouble with them if the floor's too sticky.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13And if the floor's sticky, I'm going to get hammered tonight.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15# Anyone can see after all this time
0:21:15 > 0:21:18# He'd be guilty if lovin' her was a crime
0:21:18 > 0:21:20# He says, hey, son, believe it... #
0:21:20 > 0:21:24Both John and Annona are preparing to go toe to toe in the group dance,
0:21:24 > 0:21:27and there's more at stake than just who buys dinner.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29Amy has a different bet on now.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32She has a bet that if our team wins, John has to give her 100 euro.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35It's going higher every day.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37# Let's take it up now! #
0:21:37 > 0:21:40As Annona's group take to the dance floor,
0:21:40 > 0:21:44Fidelma can only look on and hope her Stompers do themselves justice.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48Some of them dance a lot, some of them use their hands a lot.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51They all kind of have their own little techniques, you know?
0:21:51 > 0:21:54# You're only young You're only young once! #
0:21:54 > 0:21:56CHEERING
0:21:56 > 0:21:58Annona's group has wowed the audience
0:21:58 > 0:22:01and John is now under pressure to perform.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04Amy seems to think that she's going to get 100 euros out of me
0:22:04 > 0:22:06if I lose, and it ain't happening.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09It's Monopoly money she'll be getting.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12# ..down to the wire with my feet to the fire
0:22:12 > 0:22:15# But this livin' ain't killed me yet... #
0:22:15 > 0:22:17Hats off to John's group.
0:22:17 > 0:22:18They're giving it their all,
0:22:18 > 0:22:21and it's clear the final decision will be tough.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25Well, in my opinion the standard is very high and you can actually see
0:22:25 > 0:22:27the people, when they get out on the floor,
0:22:27 > 0:22:29who have actually put the effort in.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31They're out to win. Can't blame them for that.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34# Livin' ain't killed me yet. #
0:22:34 > 0:22:37CHEERING
0:22:38 > 0:22:41MUSIC: Man, I Feel Like A Woman by Shania Twain
0:22:41 > 0:22:43Let's go, girls...
0:22:43 > 0:22:46Back in Blackpool's famous ballroom, the standard at
0:22:46 > 0:22:49the Modern World Dance Championships is extremely high.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52Yeah, someone needs to really, really stand out.
0:22:52 > 0:22:53It's hard, it's very hard.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59Judging here today was extremely hard in all the divisions.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01Especially that All Star division.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04Jess competes in the top All Star category,
0:23:04 > 0:23:07where dancers have as many routines as they do dress changes.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11# No inhibitions, make no conditions
0:23:11 > 0:23:14# Get a little outta line... #
0:23:14 > 0:23:1711 judges score the All Star category dancers,
0:23:17 > 0:23:19and they don't miss a step.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26Unfortunately for Jess, she does.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29# I feel like a woman! #
0:23:32 > 0:23:34My body's like this cos I'm so nervous,
0:23:34 > 0:23:37so when I do a back bend and I throw it, the muscle just...
0:23:37 > 0:23:38it's already stiff.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42We think we've got shin splints on top of everything else now, shin splints!
0:23:42 > 0:23:45So, yeah, the back, the back's an issue at the minute, yeah.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47With one more day at the competition to go,
0:23:47 > 0:23:51Jess's dreams of a world title hang in the balance.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57Back in Ashbourne, County Meath, it's nearly time
0:23:57 > 0:24:00to announce the winners of the Traditional Championships.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03I'm so proud of them. I couldn't ask for any more.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06All the hard work and effort that we put in in the last few weeks
0:24:06 > 0:24:09have really shown off. They did me so proud.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13As John and Annona wait nervously,
0:24:13 > 0:24:15head judge Ray announces the winners.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19In third place is X13 - Fidelma's Steppers.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24Annona and her team have placed a respectable third,
0:24:24 > 0:24:28but has John done better than his girlfriend and rival?
0:24:28 > 0:24:30In second place, X11.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34CHEERING
0:24:34 > 0:24:38OK, and the first place is X12 - Fidelma's Stompers.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41CHEERING
0:24:41 > 0:24:44John's team has won the cup and the bragging rights.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48Well, the bookie says that I won the bet,
0:24:48 > 0:24:52the best team won and I get dinner of my choosing.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55This little one here lost the bet.
0:24:55 > 0:24:56100 euros.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59- Credit union. - No, it's 100 cents!
0:24:59 > 0:25:03- We're still friends though. - No.- No.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07- Definitely not. - Well, we have to stay friends.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10John's driving the bus, we need to get home.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19It's the final morning of competition in Blackpool.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22Really tired. I find it really hard to sleep the night before,
0:25:22 > 0:25:25cos I'm just doing my dances over and over in my head.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31And Jess isn't the only one feeling the pressure.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34When Jessica goes onto the floor...
0:25:36 > 0:25:38..I do cry!
0:25:38 > 0:25:42I honestly do, and I'm unbelievably proud,
0:25:42 > 0:25:45but I do know she has a big task in front of her.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51But if she's to win, Jess will have to push her body to the limit.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55I'm really sore, but there's nothing you can do about being sore.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57I have, like, cuts on my toes.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00I just try to think "I'm fine, I'm fine," and then
0:26:00 > 0:26:02I can suffer tomorrow.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06Albeit people say it's dancing,
0:26:06 > 0:26:08they're a bit like athletes as well.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11In fact, they're very like athletes.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18And for these athletes,
0:26:18 > 0:26:21the World Dance Championships are their Olympics.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25The competition is fierce.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27All of the girls are amazing.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31They're just a credit to themselves and their clubs and their families.
0:26:31 > 0:26:35# So you've got the brain But have you got the touch?
0:26:35 > 0:26:38# Now, don't get me wrong Yeah, I think you're all right
0:26:38 > 0:26:42# But that won't keep me warm in the middle of the night... #
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Mentor Shane is happy with Jess's efforts on the floor.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47# That don't impress me much! #
0:26:47 > 0:26:50She did really well but, at the same time, all the other girls
0:26:50 > 0:26:54were doing the exact same, and I've actually seen some of the girls,
0:26:54 > 0:26:55they've picked up as well as Jess,
0:26:55 > 0:26:58so it's definitely going to be a tough competition.
0:27:01 > 0:27:06Jess's All Star category holds the most coveted title of the Championships.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10All Stars is something special.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14To win All Stars, if I had that answer, everybody would just buy it.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21The awards in the top All Star category are being presented.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25Fourth place overall, All Star Young Adult,
0:27:25 > 0:27:29competitor 363, Jodie Riddock.
0:27:29 > 0:27:30CHEERING
0:27:30 > 0:27:33Third place overall,
0:27:33 > 0:27:37competitor 367, Dana Peters.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40CHEERING
0:27:40 > 0:27:45Mum and Nanny Bea can hardly look as Jess makes the final two.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49So, your world champion 2016,
0:27:49 > 0:27:52from Ireland, competitor 364,
0:27:52 > 0:27:54Jessica Devlin!
0:27:54 > 0:27:58CHEERING
0:28:00 > 0:28:02You couldn't get any better than that.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05That's something she's been working for for so long.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07And to win All Stars Young Adult is just phenomenal,
0:28:07 > 0:28:11so I'm so proud of her. She danced really, really well.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19She wrote a wee thing at primary school, and she said,
0:28:19 > 0:28:22"I'm going to be an All Star." So, this is her dream.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27This is all I ever wanted to do.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30It's all I ever wanted and I've got it and it's just amazing.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33I really want to thank my mum and gran. I just love them so much.
0:28:35 > 0:28:39# We used to be the life of the party
0:28:39 > 0:28:44# We used to be the ones that they wished they were
0:28:44 > 0:28:48# But now it's like they don't know how to act
0:28:48 > 0:28:53# Maybe they're like me and they want us back
0:28:53 > 0:28:56# When they think of me, they think of you. #