SISTERS ARE DOING IT:

We’d done rigorous studio run-throughs all the week before, but Monday was different: Seoige was going live. Sile and I arrive at 9am, grab some breakfast from the RTE canteen and sit down for the first of the day’s briefings. We always have lunch on the run, as a salad wrap unravels in the rush between hair and make-up. On the floor at 2pm for two hours’ rehearsals. There's a live promo before the news, and we go live with the show itself at 4.25pm.

What happens between then and 5.15pm becomes a blur, but the newspapers the following day are quick to remind me. Thankfully, the vast majority of reviewers like what they saw. I don’t know who is more relieved — myself, Sile or our parents Phil and Martin, who have travelled up especially for show number one. We treat them to dinner at Dublin’s Shelbourne that night. With the nerves fading, it’s a pleasure to eat a good meal and not have butterflies nibbling away at it nervously.

I like to get up early. It calms me to have that sense of control, and it means I get the gym out of the way and don’t have to face it after work when, truth be told, I wouldn’t have the will to go. I don’t know what’s more refreshing this morning: a solid hour-long workout or the sight of Sile’s face after she read the good reviews. Whatever criticism you take yourself, it’s doubly difficult to watch someone you love getting it. Thankfully the notices are warm and we have an extra bounce to our two-step.

A FILM WITH HER IN IT

Gay Byrne is in today. The Master is a delightfully easy interview, despite my nervousness. He’s even dote enough to record a birthday greeting for a friend. We meet Aidan Power of The Cafe after the show and before I know it Sile and I are booked for the programme next week.

I rush home after Wednesday’s show as I can’t wait to get out in the winter air with my two dogs, Abbey and Sophie. They’re Bichon Frise but they take to the roads like two miniature leopards, a panting blur of legs.

On Thursday, Sile and I chat to Larry Gogan; he’s a new regular on the Seoige sofas. Larry’s voice does strange things: close your eyes and you’re 15 again, in your bedroom with your hand on the pause button waiting to tape the new Bros single.

Sile and I met Amy Huberman of The Clinic after the show. She’s just wrapped on a new film with Dylan Moran. What’s it called? It’s a film with me in it. Yeah but what’s it called? A Film With Me In It. Look I know, but . . . Oh, it’s actually called A Film With Me In It.

Race home for a quiet night in with husband, Stephen. We watch Will Smith’s I Am Legend. Well, Stephen does. I spend the night either cowering behind the couch or deep-breathing in the kitchen. Safe to say suspense-horrors are not my idea of fun, although Stephen gets a great laugh altogether out of me.

DANCE WIV ME

I like being early, but no such luxury on Friday night with a mad dash to Dublin airport for a flight to London. I’m shooting a behind-the-scenes piece for Seoige on the set of Strictly Come Dancing. Thankfully you can’t hear me squeal as I write this; I am the proverbial number one fan.

On set at BBC Shepherd’s Bush. I was devastated when Anton du Beke was knocked out early on in the run but today the advantages of that disaster are becoming clear: he has a lot more time for me. Viewers of the last season of Seoige and O'Shea might remember I got a twirl from Anton and I’m glad to say my dancing shoes did not go un-waltzed this time either.

After the show I have a well-earned tipple with judge Len Goodman, Mr Scary but Mr Nice in reality. He thinks everything I say is hilarious. Either I’m a devastating wit, or the old Irish brogue is proving very amusing. I don’t ask which. A girl needs her illusions.

Grainne Seoige and her sister Sile present Seoige on RTE One.

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