Members of Troupe 1 make Catherine Rhatigan's dream come true
Tonight's the Night
Saturday 23 May
7:00pm - 8:00pm BBC1
Tonight's The Night is set to be the biggest, shiniest and most innovative blend of studio performance, celebrity guests, comedy sketches and audience wish fulfilment seen on the channel in many years.
Hosted by John Barrowman, this series is a fresh approach to Entertainment. There are no judging panels and strictly no public votes.The series aims to celebrate talent, whether established or new, and deliver a sense of spectacle and fun, with outstanding and deserving members of the public having their wishes fulfilled every Saturday night.
One outstanding member of the public who's dream they would like to realise is 17 year old Catherine Rhatigan, who's big wish is to dance with Michael Flatley.
Catherine will perform with Lord of the Dance cast members James Keegan (Lord), Brendan McCarron, Thomas Martin, Owen McAuley, Graham Killoughery, Ciara Scott, Claire Regan, Sarah Redmond and Collette Mullarkey.
Why does Catherine deserve to have her big wish come true?
Catherine has always been a talented dancer and a huge fan of Irish dancing since she was 6 years old.
Tragically, at the age of 14 her dancing dreams were dealt a devastating blow when she was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma (cancer of the skeletal connective tissues).
Catherine began a traumatic program of intense chemotherapy which resulted in her losing her hair. At an already difficult age for most teenage girls, she bravely refused to wear a wig and attended school completely bald.
Throughout her treatment she entertained herself by watching DVD's of Michael Flatley dancing; she believes her love of Irish dancing and especially Michael, gave her the strength to get her through the darkest days of the illness.
Now in remission, Catherine attends an Irish dance class three times a week, she also performs with her Irish dance group at numerous cancer charity fundraisers.
Catherine is a talented performer with a friendly and likeable character, who is an inspiration to other girls her age.
Don't miss this special performance choreographed by Marie Duffy Pask, Lord of the Dance, Dance Director, and taught by Cherie Butler, a Lord of the Dance lead dancer.