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Michael Flatley considers Irish presidential bid

Brian Lawless/PA Wire Michael Flatley, a 67-year-old man with short, blonde hair and blue eyes, smiles at the camera. He is wearing a white t-shirt under a navy jacket. The collar of his jacket is turned up. There is a stage behind him on which sit a double bass, instrument cases and large black speakers.Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Michael Flatley said he would run for the job if he "could be a voice of the Irish people"

The creator and former star of Riverdance Michael Flatley has said he has not ruled out seeking a nomination to run in the Irish Presidential election.

The 67-year-old, who is best-known for bringing Irish dancing to an international audience, said several people had asked him to throw his hat into the ring.

The election must be held before 11 November.

Incumbent President of Ireland Michael D Higgins is not eligible to stand again as he will have completed two full seven-year terms.

Speaking to Brendan O'Connor on RTÉ radio, Flatley said he had spent the last 30 years of his life "touring the world promoting Ireland and Irish culture".

He said the presidency was statesman's role and added he was "not sure we need another politician".

The former dancer added that he heard the concerns of the "average person on the street" and they are not "happy right now".

"If I thought that I could be of benefit to the Irish people and - maybe more importantly - if I thought I could be a voice of the Irish people," he said.

"Right now, I don't think they have a voice - not a true, proper, deep voice that you know that speaks their language."

PA Dancer Michael Flatley is photographed bare-chested on stage wearing black trousers with a braided silver belt and a cream braided bolero jacket. Behind him stand around a dozen female dancers all wearing black and silver dresses with Celtic motifs adorned on them. Flatley and the dancers are smiling and have their arms up in the air.PA
Flatley developed his own show, Lord of the Dance, after his success with Riverdance

Flatley, who was born in Chigago, would be eligible to run as he has Irish citizenship.

He said he was consulting with a "team of advisors" ahead of making a final decision.

The Irish-American, who hung up his dancing shoes in 2016, said he had a lot to consider if he was to seek a nomination.

"I have a huge business to run, I have an army of dancers counting on me to make a living," he said.

"I have a whiskey company, a beautiful young wife and son that I want to spend time with.

"I take it seriously but no, I have not made a decision."

In 1994, he helped launch the Irish dancing spectacle, Riverdance, after performing at the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin.

After Eurovision, Riverdance was transformed into an arena tour.

Several years later Michael Flatley developed his own show, Lord of the Dance.

Who can run to be the president of Ireland?

PA Irish president Michael D Higgins is standing at a podium with images on a wall behind him. He is addressing the media on the opening day of the annual Bloom festival at Phoenix Park in Dublin. He is wearing glasses and is dressed in a blue three-piece suit, with a purple floral tie and a light blue shirt. PA
Incumbent President Michael D Higgins is not eligible to stand again as he will have completed two full seven-year terms

To be eligible to run for the Irish presidency, a candidate must be an Irish citizen who is 35 or older.

They must be nominated either by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas (Irish houses of parliament) or at least four local authorities (councils).

A president is elected for a seven-year term of office, but cannot serve more than two terms.

So far two candidates have been announced to replace President Higgins.

Former EU Commissioner and MEP Mairead McGuinness is running for Fine Gael, while TD (Member of Parliament) Catherine Connolly is running as an Independent after securing the backing of 20 Oireachtas members.