MacManus began dancing in his hometown of Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland, before moving on to compete around Europe, eventually winning numerous juvenile, junior and amateur competitions. Tristan was educated in 2 Gaelscoileanna in Bray, starting in Scoil Chualann primary school and completing his secondary education in St Kilians. After appearing in an uncredited dance role in the 2004 movieElla Enchanted, he performed in theatre productions throughout Ireland, most notably in the Cork City Opera House and The Gaiety Theatre, including Bryan Flynn's production of Oliver! and Aladdin, among others. Next, he joined the UK tour of Simply Ballroom and, after a successful tour in London and Las Vegas, went on to Australia and America where he toured as a featured dancer with Burn The Floor and Floorplay. After numerous world tours and a year teaching Ballroom and Latin dancing in Boston, he returned to Europe to join the cast of Dirty Dancing as Dance Captain. He then went on to do a second stint in London's West End.
Television appearances
''Dancing with the Stars''
MacManus made his first appearance on the twelfth season of Dancing with the Stars as part of the "dance troupe," performing multiple dances during the results shows. In the show's thirteenth season he returned along with fellow troupe member, Peta Murgatroyd, to compete as a dance-pro partner to a celebrity contestant. His dancing partner was HLN hostess and former prosecutorNancy Grace. They were eliminated on Week 8, just one week before the semifinals and were placed 5th. For Season 14, MacManus was paired with Grammy Award winning singer Gladys Knight. The couple was eliminated on Week 6 after losing a "dance duel" to Disney Channel Star Roshon Fegan and his partner Chelsie Hightower. They finished in 8th place. Also, during Season 14 of Dancing with the Stars, MacManus was featured in week 8 as a partner in a trio with dance pro Mark Ballas and celebrity Katherine Jenkins. They performed a Cha-cha-cha to Paul Anka's "She's a Lady", and received a score of "10" from judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli, and a "9" from Len Goodman. For season 15, MacManus was partnered with actress and Season 10 contestant Pamela Anderson. They were the first to be eliminated on 25 September 2012. For season 16, he was partnered with Olympic gold medalistDorothy Hamill. They withdrew after Hamill suffered an ankle and spine injury that further prohibited her from competing. MacManus danced with Emma Slater and Chelsie Hightower during Len's week 5 Side by Side Challenge alongside Victor & Lindsay and Sean & Peta. He danced with Derek Hough and Kellie Pickler when they did a paso doble in the "trio round" which scored a 10 from Carrie Ann, a 7 from Len Goodman, and a 10 from Bruno Tonioli. For season 17, he was paired with actress Valerie Harper. They were the third couple eliminated. In season 14, MacManus was paired with R&B legend Gladys Knight. For season 15, MacManus was paired with model, actress, and former contestant Pamela Anderson. For season 16, MacManus was paired with Olympic gold medal figure skater Dorothy Hamill. For season 17, MacManus was paired with award-winning actress Valerie Harper.
Julianne Hough judge in place of Goodman.
''Strictly Come Dancing''
On 1 June 2014, it was revealed that MacManus would be joining the British edition of the show, Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer during the show's 12th series. His celebrity partner for the series was Mrs Brown's Boys actress, Jennifer Gibney. They were at risk of being eliminated first when they ended up in the bottom two against Gregg Wallace and Aliona Vilani. All judges opted to save Gibney and MacManus leaving Wallace and Vilani the first couple to leave. However, it was Week 3 when Gibney and MacManus were left in the bottom two once again against Blue popstar Simon Webbe and professional dancer Kristina Rihanoff. All 5 judges opted to save Webbe and Rihanoff leaving Gibney and MacManus in 14th place. Following their partnership, MacManus made a cameo appearance in the 2014 Christmas Special of Mrs Brown's Boys. In December 2014, MacManus was a professional on the Christmas Special and partnered sixth series runner up Rachel Stevens. On 23 April 2015, it was revealed that MacManus would continue as a professional for the 13th series and he partnered singer Jamelia. In March 2016, it was confirmed that he had quit the show and wouldn't be returning for the 14th series. For Series 12, MacManus was paired with Mrs. Brown's Boys actress Jennifer Gibney.
Note:Donny Osmond was a guest judge for the third week
For Series 13, MacManus was paired with Singer and Loose Women panelist Jamelia.
Personal life
MacManus is married to Australian actress Tahyna Tozzi. Their engagement was announced by Tahyna's sister, Cheyenne, on 19 April 2013 via Instagram, and they married on 25 January 2014 at St John FisherRoman Catholic Church, Cronulla. On April 5, 2016 his wife Tahyna gave birth to their daughter named Echo Ìsolde. On March 14, 2019, MacManus announced the birth of his son Oisín Lír on Instagram.
