Dancing with the Stars returned to our screens with a glittering start tonight (Sunday January 5th) on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player. Back for its eighth season, tonight’s show showcased a new series of glitz, glamour and dazzling dance performances.

The first episode of the brand-new season unfolded with a fun-filled opening number, All I Wanna Do by Outasight, featuring all eleven celebrities: Olympic gold medalist and gymnast Rhys McClenaghan, Ireland AM presenter Elaine Crowley, celebrity chef Kevin Dundon, actress Yasmin Seky, social media star Kayleigh Trappe, meteorologist Joanna Donnelly, Eurovision singer Mickey Joe Harte, Irish taekwondo Olympian Jack Woolley, comedian Gearóid Farrelly, Mrs. Brown’s Boys actor Danny O’Carroll, former Miss Universe Ireland, Aishah Akorede and each of their professional dance partners. They were joined under the glitterball by presenters Jennifer Zamparelli and Doireann Garrihy, alongside judges Brian Redmond, Loraine Barry, Arthur Gourounlian and new judge Karen Byrne, each giving it their all on the dancefloor.

The first couple to take to the dancefloor tonight were Mrs. Brown’s Boys star Danny O’Carroll and his pro partner Salome Chachua. The couple danced a smooth Foxtrot to Obviously by McFly.

New judge Karen Byrne said: “What a way to open up the show! Your frame in week one was very impressive.” 

Loraine Barry added: “I think you have a very good dancing frame. Lots of flow in the Foxtrot which is what you need. You used your feet well – I’d like to see more. You have potential!” 

Brian Redmond said: “Danny O’Carroll, Buster Brady. I think you can bust a move!” 

Danny and Salome scored a total of 22 points from the judges. 

Next up was the actress Yasmin Seky and her pro partner Simone Arena. The duo danced a fast-paced and feelgood Samba to Oh Na Na by Camila Cabello, Myke Towers and Tainy.

Loraine said: “You need two ingredients for the Samba – rhythm and bounce. The hips were ticking! You need to get grounded and get more power.” 

Arthur commented: “Yasmin in the house! You brought the sass but I want more. You got this baby.” 

Brian said: “A little bit stiff but the energy, rhythm is there.” 

Yasmin and Simone were awarded 25 points by the judges. 

Comedian Gearóid Farrelly and his dance partner Stephen Vincent brought passion and dramatic attitude to their Tango, which they danced to Training Season by Dua Lipa.

Karen said: “You were both so in sync. I actually have goosebumps. That was just so special and you should be so proud of yourselves.”

Loraine added: “That was authentic and clever. The fact that you swapped roles consistently was mind blowing to me. Normally it’s one leader and one follower.” 

Gearóid and Stephen received a total of 28 points from the judges. 

Next up was Irish taekwondo Olympian Jack Woolley and his pro partner, Dancing with the Stars Ireland newcomer Alex Vladimirov, who danced an elegant Viennese Waltz with dizzying twists and turns to Die with a Smile by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars.

Karen said: “I can see how relieved you are. I feel I could cry after seeing that. You don’t see that type of performance in Week 1. For your first dance I’m lost for words.” 

Arthur said: “When I met you first I thought you were shy and timid but I was wrong! I’m jealous – your musicality is en pointe! You have that je ne sais quoi!” 

Jack and Alex were awarded a total score of 30 points.  

Weather presenter Joanna Donnelly made it rain on the dancefloor alongside her dance partner, Maciej Zieba, another new arrival on the show this series. The pair danced an upbeat Cha-cha-cha to It’s Raining Men by The Weather Girls.

Loraine commented: “I’m always very happy to see true, classic Cha-cha steps. And I definitely saw that tonight. Now some of the action was missing inside the steps, but you gave it your best.” 

Brian added: “Cha-cha needs two things – energy and commitment. Give it more energy.” 

Joanna and Maciej were awarded 15 points by the judges. 

The sixth couple to take to the dancefloor was Eurovision singer Mickey Joe Harte and new dancer Daniela Roze. The pair danced a powerful Paso Doble to Teenage Kicks by The Undertones.

Loraine said: “The musicality and characterisation was there. There was a bit too much bounce but it was strong enough – you made your mark.” 

Arthur said: “You have to be more in sync with Daniela. Keep doing what you’re doing.” 

Brian said: “A little bit Mickey Joe manic – perhaps less intensity next time. Not a bad start!”  

Mickey Joe and Daniela scored a total of 19 points. 

Former Miss Universe Ireland, Aishah Akorede and her pro partner Robert Rowiński dazzled with a fast and flowing Quickstep to Stargazing by Myles Smith.

Arthur said: “Elegant meets energy! You were gliding with precision and speed. Just relax, because overall the sky is the limit for you!”

Loraine said: “It was absolutely beautiful. Your posture, your position, your poise. I loved it, I really did.” 

Aishah and Robert scored a total of 29 points. 

Celebrity chef Kevin Dundon and new professional dancer Rebecca Scott took to the dancefloor with an elegant American Smooth to Everybody Eats When They Come to My House by John Lithgow.

Brian said: “All icing but no cake for me. It was sweet, cute and fun but it needs a little more work. Keep smiling.” 

Arthur: “I’ll come to your house any day if you cook and dance like this. It wasn’t perfect, but you had the moves, you had the style, and the only way is up baby!” 

Kevin and Rebecca scored a total of 17 points. 

Social media star Kayleigh Trappe and her pro partner Ervinas Merfeldas danced a fast and fun Jive to Yes by Merry Clayton.

Karen said: “Halfway through I wanted to join you! Overall it was very slick. I loved it.” 

Brian commented: “There was plenty of go in the show, you just need to be neat in the feet. Plenty of energy. If you tidy up those feet you never know how far you might go!”  

Kayleigh and Ervinas were awarded 28 points by the judges. 

Ireland AM presenter Elaine Crowley and her partner Denys Samson glided around the dancefloor with a Waltz to Three Times a Lady by The Commodores.

Loraine said: “It was so beautiful to watch. It’s a very hard dance to do, but your standing position was really very good.” 

Arthur said: “Graceful and elegant. You put a spell on the ballroom and I couldn’t take my eyes off you. But I know you, and I can’t wait to see a different side to you!” 

Elaine and Denys scored a total of 23 points. 

The final couple to dance tonight was the Olympic gold medalist and gymnast Rhys McClenaghan and his pro partner Laura Nolan, who danced a hip swinging, gravity defying salsa to Head & Heart by Joel Corry featuring MNEK.

Arthur said: “Rhys, It’s not every day I have a gold medalist doing the salsa in front of me. You were having the best time of your life. Oh la la! My heart goes BOOM!” 

Brian said: “It was like a trip to Funderland – everything was in there. Upside down, flipping around, spinning!” 

Karen added: “Of course my expectations were high, but what a way to finish the show tonight! It’s like you were born a dancer.” 

Rhys and Laura were awarded a total of 31 points. 

The glitz, glamour, and nail-biting competition will continue on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player next Sunday, January 12th at 6:30pm.

-ENDS-

Date: Sunday January 5th 2025

Photography credit: Kyran O’ Brien

RTÉ Communications: Rayna Connery and Éadaoin Nic Giolla Chomhaill

Notes to Editor:

ABOUT DANCING WITH THE STARS 2025

Filling our Sunday evenings with glitz and glamour from January, the RTÉ One series sees 11 well-known figures team up with a professional dancer to perform a live routine every week. Each pairing will have a different dancing genre to master every week, from the Charleston to hip hop, and they’ll have just seven days to perfect their routine before performing live to the nation.

Each celebrity couple will be scored by an expert panel of four judges and the viewing public at home, with the winning couple claiming the much-coveted glitter ball trophy at the end of the series.

Dancing with the Stars is produced by ShinAwiL for RTÉ.

Dancing with the Stars is proudly sponsored by Hyundai.

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