NI country singer leads tributes to former Dancing with the Stars judge

The talent agent, dancer, and choreographer, who was affectionately known as Captain Sparkle for his trademark sparkly, custom-made jackets, died on Saturday with his family saying in a statement he battled cystic fibrosis.

In a statement his family added: "His strength, warmth, and sparkle remained with him until the very end."

Mr Benson became a household name in 2017 when he joined the judging panel on RTE's Dancing With The Stars.

Cliona Hagan, who won Best Female Artist at this year’s Northern Ireland Country Music Awards, posted a tribute to the former talent judge on Instagram. She competed on the RTE series in 2019.

"I am so saddened to hear of the passing of the wonderful Julian Benson,” she wrote.

"During my time on Dancing with the stars I always l...
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