A NEW RHYS OF LIFE

Gymnast McClenaghan feeling 'incredible' as he and pro Laura lift Glitterball trophy

- BY SANDRA MALLON Showbiz Editor

OLYMPIC gymnast Rhys McClenaghan and pro dancer Laura Nolan were left speechless after being crowned this year's DWTS winners.

After 11 gruelling weeks filled with glitz and glamour, Laura, 30, said last night: "I feel incredible."

Rhys, 25, from Co Down, said: "That was the cherry on top of something we were already happy with."

Bookies' favourite Rhys said there won't be any downtime as he continues to train for the Olympics.

He said: "Yeah, I go back into full-time training. My days will be gymnastics instead of dancing and gymnastics, so I look forward to that. I'll really miss dancing.

"Tonight I got a really similar feeling to how I feel when I compete in gymnastics and I didn't think anything would come close to that."

Rhys impressed viewers after he reprised his Movie Week role of Spider-Man, as he and Laura danced the Charleston to the iconic theme tune.

Scoring 40 points, judge Loraine Barry said it was "exhilarating" from start to finish on the RTE show last night.

Judge Brian Redmond said Rhys "played the hero", adding: "But you're also an Olympic champion. You have become a real-life superhero."

And Karen Byrne said: "Rhys, you're the real-life Irish Spider-Man. I'm lost for words. Pure and utter perfection."