Fleet-footed dancing legend Michael Flatley won a lawsuit in Belfast on Thursday against a company seeking control of his "Lord of the Dance" show.
Earlier this month, a temporary injunction was granted to entertainment company Switzer Consulting Ltd allowing it to block the 67-year-old Irish-American dancer from any involvement in an upcoming "Lord of the Dance" worldwide tour marking its 30th anniversary.
But the injunction was removed by a judge at Belfast High Court, who also dismissed an application by the company for a full injunction, pending trial.
In July 2024, the two parties had reached a formal service agreement that Switzer would run the stage show which begins its anniversary run in Dublin next Thursday.
Asked by reporters outside the court if he was back in control of the show, a smiling Flatley said: "Yes, 100 percent".
"We're going to lift the roof on Thursday, it's going to be the greatest version of the show that you will ever see," he said, after the verdict.
Switzer had accused Flatley of breach of contract and said an injunction was essential as Flatley's financial situation would leave him unable to pay any damages.
The court heard allegations that Flatley borrowed heavily to keep up a "Monaco millionaire" lifestyle, and had an "insatiable appetite" for "lifestyle cash".
But Flatley's lawyer David Dunlop told the court the dancer had 500,000 euros ($598,000) held by a solicitor in Dublin to pay to end the contract.
Raised in Chicago by his Irish immigrant parents, Flatley shot to fame in the "Riverdance" show, which took off after being first performed during the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest interval.
"Riverdance" rocketed traditional Irish step dancing into the international spotlight and Flatley, the star of the show, went on to create his own blockbuster hits including "Lord of the Dance", "Feet of Flames" and "Celtic Tiger".
More than 260 other shows are scheduled to take place throughout Europe and North America this year.