Aslan’s Billy McGuinness is the sixth celebrity dancer to be eliminated from Dancing with the Stars

The Dancing with the Stars journey ended this evening for Aslan’s Billy McGuinness and his dance partner Hannah Kelly.  Billy danced a Charleston earlier tonight, scoring 20 points, his highest score of the series,  but the judges decided to send them home tonight after a dance-off against Jordan Conroy.

Billy said: “I expected to last one week, two maybe,  If we made people at home smile. That’s my job done. I just loved being on this show.  Hair, make up, all the crew.  It’s been more than I expected. Hannah had guided me through the 9 weeks.  I hope she goes far.”

Tonight’s show was the ninth of the series and all of the celebrity dancers were looking ahead to next week’s quarter final.  Jennifer Zamparelli and Nicky Byrne presented while judges Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond and Arthur Gourounlian scored each dancer on their performances.

First to show his skills on the dancefloor tonight was Love Island star Matthew MacNabb, dancing with Laura Nolan.  Their American Smooth had lots of lifts and they danced to ‘Anyone for You’ by George Ezra.

Opening the judges comments tonight, head judge Loraine said: “ The American Smooth gives you the freedom to get out and sway the body and create volume.  It had the beautiful smoothness of the quickstep. The entry into and out of the lifts needs to be smoother but you are on the right road.”

Arthur: “The chemistry between you two is flowing,   I think you two are perfect for each other.  Who’s have thought you’d have been here for week 9?  I really enjoyed the lovely, gentle American Smooth.”

Brian: “You look happier this week, I don’t know is it the smell of the flowers or what it is. Frame is improving week by week, some of the lifts need work,  but not a bad start for an American Smooth.”

Matthew and Laura scored 22 from the judges.

Jockey Nina Carberry and Pasquale La Rocca were the second couple to dance tonight.  Their lively 60’s inspired jive was to ‘Faith’ by Stevie Wonder feat. Ariana Grande.

Arthur: “Nina you are making things very difficult for me,  I’m running out of words in my English vocabulary. Jive was outstanding.”

Brian said: “Two weeks of top scores, but this week proves, no one can be perfect all the time.  You needed snappier leg action.   Plenty of faith you’ll be back next week, but not as good as last week.”

Loraine: “Very groovy, lot of great jive, Rock steps, spin.  A lot of energy.  The legs need to be looser, but still a groovy number.”

Nina and Carberry scored 26 from the judges.

Cyclist Nicolas Roche made a welcome return to the dancefloor tonight after missing last week’s show due to contracting covid-19.  He and Karen Byrne danced a tango to Trumpet Tango by Eddie Calvert. Their track was pre-recorded by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra as they missed Big Band week last week.

Brian said: “After two weeks of you two hardly seeing each other, I was very impressed,  I commend you. One of your strongest performances.  I loved the top line, spine was a bit titled, a bit forward, but considering, you hardly danced together, that was great.”

Loraine: “A Sleek, stylish tango. Mystery and intrigue.  I love to see the original steps which you showed. I would have loved a bit more punch in the steps but I really enjoyed it.”

Arthur: “Intense, moody and dark.  All three.  You brought it tonight with Karen.  Your head turns – I felt like I was in a café in Monaco watching a tango.”

Nicolas and Karen scored 21 from the judges.

After another break, athlete Ellen Keane and Stephen Vincent danced a vibrant quickstep to the Katrina and The Waves track ‘Walking on Sunshine.’

Loraine:  “Well, coming off last week where the jive was fast, it led you into the quickstep.  You started with swing action, quarter turns, The lock step.  You kept the energy when you broke away. So light on your feet.”

Arthur: “You are a ray of sunshine.  This song was so uplifting.  Fast, energic and perfect for both of you.  You have to be on the same level as your partner, with pace, and you worked it out.”

Brian: “Fanciest pajamas I’ve ever seen!  That quickstep was loaded with classic quickstep content.  A little mistake.  But apart from that it had the classic quickstep content that Loraine and I love.  It had fun, entertainment and energy so Arthur was happy too.”

Ellen and Stephen scored 27 from the judges.

Rugby player Jordan Conroy and Salome Chachua danced a samba to ‘Magalenha’ by Sergio Mendas tonight.

Arthur:  “The way you were grinding the floor at beginning, I thought I was at a Magic Mike show. You had a point to prove tonight.  Your hunger and love for dancing shows .  You were loose and supple and you had by the bucketload.”

Brian: “So many rhythms. Lovely and full, real action in the body, but no one invited your arms to the party.  Arms not quite there.  I also liked the changes in rhythm.  Maybe not as good as last week and last week you were in the dance off.”

Loraine: “This is challenging dance.  But you did have a lot of rhythm.  You had some great movements.  Continuous locks down the floor.  Salome is on fire, that’s for sure.  We call it the celebrity killer, but tonight you survived it.”

Jordan and Salome scored 24 from the judges.

Aslan’s Billy McGuinness and Hannah Kelly brought Charleston to studio to ‘Mr. Bass Man’ this week.

Brian: “This was a rare Charleston, in that it did not have a single, swivel action.  I don’t even know where to go from here.  Fun, energetic, no technical dancing.  It doesn’t matter what I say really, people will love it.”

Loraine:  “A great Charleston, there were two swivels .  Lots of kicks.  Typical you.  Not about technique.  Lot of hops and steps.  A test of stamina at 61.”

Arthur: “An aerobic number.  At 61, you have the energy of 21 year old.  You put everything in it.  When you are on the dancefloor, it is Billy’s world and we all live in it.”

Billy and Hannah scored 20 from the judges.

The final couple to dance tonight were singer Erica-Cody and Ervinas Merfeldas.   Ervinas danced with Erica this week as Erica’s pro partner Denys Samson has covid-19.  Erica and Ervinas continued with the choreography put together by Denys and they danced an emotional contemporary ballroom to ‘Rise Up’ by Andra Day. Erica paid tribute to him after her performance hoping they made him proud watching tonight’s show.

Loraine began her comments complimenting Ervinas for stepping in this week. “ That was absolutely beautiful, maximum amount of stretching.  The fluidity. The Viennese Waltz in there.  You absolutely did Denys proud.”

Arthur: “Thank you.  You gave me goosebumps.  Your lines, your whole demeanor was on point tonight.  A powerful way to end the show.”

Brian: “First of all, the way you dealt with the change.  That was a testament to all you have learnt so far and to Denys’ choreography. Head position a little weird I some places, but I loved it.

Erica and Ervinas scored 29 from the judges.

Nicky declared the voting lines ‘open’ after their dance.

It was then the turn of the pro dancers to take to the floor.  Six of the dancers gave a stunning performance to ‘Only You’ by Selena Gomez. Following that Nicky caught up with all the celebrity dancers to get their take on the night so far, before closing the voting lines.

Nicky also spoke to Kai Widdrington who was in the audience tonight . He was a pro dancer for the first four seasons of Dancing with the Stars and was a professional dancer in Strictly Come Dancing at the end of last year.  Des Bishop, who took part in series One was also in the audience tonight.

After the break, Nicky caught up with the judges to hear who they feel performed well tonight and who might be in danger.  Then it was results time which saw Billy McGuinness and Jordan Conroy achieve the lowest combined score between the judges scores and the public vote.

Billy and Hannah danced first, followed by Jordan and Salome.  Based on this dance off alone, the judges decide to send Billy home this week.

Next week is the quarter final with an ‘Around the World’ theme.  Each of couples will dance to iconic tracks from all over the globe.  The pressure steps up a gear as each celebrity must learn two dances in the coming week as next Sunday they will also have to perform a team dance.

The Dancing with the Stars Official Podcast presented by Lottie Ryan is available on RTÉ.ie/podcasts, Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Tonight’s eliminated couple will be interviewed on The Ryan Tubridy Show on RTÉ Radio 1 tomorrow morning.

Dancing with the Stars is proudly sponsored by Muller Corner.