The Riverdance cast has been in the mood for both dancing and romancing, with love blossoming among 142 performers since the show began.

There have been 71 marriages and long-term relationships, and 108 babies born, with more on the way.

Director John McColgan, 73, who is married to the show’s producer Moya Doherty, said Riverdance is a hive of “lovers and relationships”, with cast members often falling for each other behind the scenes.

“I just think when new boys come into the show and new girls come into the show you always see the beginnings of feeling out flirtation or relationships.

Riverdance tour
The cast of dancers (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)

“I think anywhere you get young people from 18 to 25, boys and girls who are fit and beautiful, you will have romance, you will have love, you will have attraction,” he said.

Current dancer Bobby Hodges, 28, from Bristol, is in a relationship with fellow lead performer Natasia Petracic, 26, from Sydney, Australia, and he said Irish dancing brought them together.

“On tour you become this family, because everyone’s away from home, we’re all in the same position, and it does get tough.

“For the last three years I’ve been in China over Christmas, and I’m from a big family, so Christmas is always a big deal,” Hodges said.

He added: “For both of us, we always joined for the dancing and then we met through it, and now the fact we get to share these amazing experiences and we go to some amazing countries, we’re very lucky.

“We get to share all these moments together.”

Lead dancer Amy-Mae Dolan, 21, from Aghyaran in County Tyrone, said on a recent tour there were four or five couples.

“It just seems to be part of the Riverdance culture, it just seems to happen, and I do think this is kind of the best time of their lives when they’re part of Riverdance, so it’s like, find your soul mate there I guess,” she said.