Michael Flatley's ex-fiancee Lisa Murphy passes away aged 51

Michael Flatley's ex-fiancee Lisa Murphy has died aged 51. The former model had been battling cancer for a number of years.

She had been living at home with her family in Ballinteer, Co Dublin . The Dubliner was in a high-profile relationship with Riverdance legend Flatley .

She was also known for being with solicitor to the stars, Gerald Keane. Murphy was also a familiar face on television and appeared on the reality TV show Dublin Housewives in 2012 and 2013.

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She was with Flatley in the 90s and the pair were engaged to be married. The couple lived at Castlehyde House, his North Cork mansion, for a number of years.

They were known around Cork, often up to events in their Rolls Royce. They also made high-profile journeys from Castlehyde House by helicopter.

The pair split in the early 2000s. They lived together on and off for six years until their relationship eventually ended in 2003.

After their split, Murphy remained dignified about the details of her relationship with the Irish dancing star. She told RSVP in an interview: "It is between myself and him. I just don’t like to divulge private things like that. It is between myself and him."

Murphy had previously dealt with the loss of her brother Paul. She said at the time: "Losing a family member puts everything in perspective and there is no word in the dictionary that described the loss of my special brother Paul.

"Now, as I said, I’m rediscovering that side of myself and my love of the simple things. I adore the outdoors and cycling, things like that.”

In a 2016 interview, she revealed that she was enjoying being single and had focussed on getting fit. She said: "I’ve been getting fit and enjoying my family. I’ve become obsessed - I’m a gym bunny now. That’s the new love of my life.

"Especially spinning. I never thought I would. I said to one of my girlfriends ‘No, that’s too hard’. But I went anyway and now I literally love it. I go four days a week."

She added: "I took up boxing as well which I never thought I would enjoy,” she said. "I took it up in the last couple of months. I had more time to myself so I thought ‘What does every woman turn to’ I suppose."

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