“Dancing with the Stars” delivers another Sunday night of glitz and glamour on RTÉ
Dancing with the Stars treated viewers to another night of dazzling dance performances on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player tonight, as all eleven celebrities and their professional partners took to the dancefloor for the second week.
The professional dancers were pretty in pink and opened the show tonight with a dramatic and passionate group dance to Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan.
Comedian Gearóid Farrelly was the first celebrity to take to the dancefloor tonight. He and his dance partner Stephen Vincent lit up the dancefloor with a groovy Cha-cha-cha to the Saturday Night Fever classic, Disco Inferno by The Trammps.
Judge Loraine Barry said: “What a way to open the show! A fusion of disco and cha-cha. It was beautifully balanced – well done.”
Judge Arthur Gourounlian said, “I loved it. It was like a rollercoaster. Can we talk about your snake arms? You didn’t come here to play – you came to slay!”
Gearóid and Stephen scored a total of 28 points.
Next up, singer Mickey Joe Harte and his pro partner Daniela Roze danced an upbeat and fun jive to Mickey by Toni Basil.
Judge Brian Redmond said, “For me, two weeks and two differentperformances… but it’s the same issue. You need to tidy things up a little bit.”
Judge Karen Byrne said, “I love that song. I love how you attack it. From the back of your jacket you’re manifesting a score of“10” – not this week but maybe next week!”
Mickey Joe and Daniela scored a total of 14 points.
TikTok star Kayleigh Trappe and Ervinas Merfeldas took to the floor with an elegant and smooth Viennese Waltz to Timeless by Meghan Trainor.
Karen said, “I call that the “Dizzy Dance”, are you seeing double? For a Viennese Waltz that was solid.”
Arthur said, “That was magical. Such grace and elegance. You transported us to a fairytale.”
Kayleigh and Ervinas scored a total of 29 points.
Celebrity chef Kevin Dundon and his pro partner Rebecca Scott followed suit with a sizzling samba to Gipsy Kings’ Volare.
Loraine said, “You were certainly flying around the floor. You were so fast but it didn’t have the Samba action I’d like to see! But you know I love someone who has a go and Kevin, you certainly had a go tonight.”
Brian said, “The word iconic, it’s a strange word. Riverdance was iconic. Fred and Ginger – iconic… this was iconic but not for the right reasons. One bit of good news, noone’s going home tonight!”
Kevin and Rebecca scored a total of 13 points.
Actress Yasmin Seky and her dance partner Simone Arena danced an elegant Foxtrot to Birds of a Feather by Billie Eilish.
Arthur said, “Yasmin you radiate beauty. Like the song – light as a feather – for me it got a little heavy in places. You’re in perfect harmony together.”
Karen said, “Last week you gave sass, just because it’s ballroom you don’t have to go into hold. For me that was a very difficult routine, very technical, I loved it. Next week give a little bit more oomph.”
Yasmin and Simone scored a total of 26 points.
Next up, Olympic gold medalist and gymnast Rhys McClenaghan and his pro partner Laura Nolan danced a fiery, rhythmic and dramatic Tango to Tanguera by Sexteto Mayor.
Brian said, “A beautiful ballroom frame.” Brian wasn’t so sure about the end of the routine saying “you sort of flung her on the floor like an old Christmas present!”
Loraine was moved to tears, “The character, the drama and yet the stillness. For me, you gave it socks.”
Rhys and Laura scored a total of 32 points.
Meteorologist Joanna Donnelly and Maciej Zieba took to the floor with a Waltz to Moon River by Barbara Streisand, which was a touching tribute to Joanna’s late mother.
Karen said, “Sometimes dance is the best way to express emotions… I think your mam would be so proud.”
Arthur added, “You came back with a vengeance this week… this shows that if you put the hard work in it pays off.”
Joanna and Maciej scored a total of 23 points.
Ireland AM presenter Elaine Crowley and her partner Denys Samson stormed the dancefloor with an energetic paso doble to Standing in the Way of Control by The Gossip.
Brian said, “Something was annoying me during the dance – there was a squeaky noise! Turns out it was Denys’ pants! Elaine – you’re great at playing a character – you were demure last week, dominant this week. You need to start tidying things up for next week so that lines are neater and positions are a little clearer.”
Loraine added, “I thought you were totally committed to Paso Doble, the role play of matador and cape, but for me you need to commit to it more. But well done…beautiful.”
Elaine and Denys scored a total of 23 points.
Next up, Olympian Jack Woolley and his dance partner Alex Vladimirov danced a high energy Cha-cha-cha with dizzying twists and turns to Rush by Troye Sivan.
Brian commented on the length of Jack’s arms. “Your hand is nearly in the next parish! Everything between the legs and arms is exceptional.”
Karen said, “The Woolley Wiggle was out in full force tonight. Your body is like Play-Doh!”
Jack and Alex scored a total of 32 points.
Former Miss Universe Ireland Aishah Akorede and her pro partner Robert Rowinski took to the floor with a fast and rhythmic Salsa to Deep Down by Alok, Ella Eyre & Kenny Dope featuring Never Dull.
Arthur said, “Who are you? Seriously? I’ve worked with models and beauty queens before – your rhythm – mesmerizing. So hot! The transitions are a little wobbly but this was a HOT Salsa.”
Brian said, “This is a really interesting week as judges because we’re getting to see you do more styles. You’ve proved that you’re a good all-rounder.”
Aishah and Robert scored a total of 27 points.
Finally, Mrs. Brown’s Boys actor Danny O’Carroll and Salome Chachua closed the show with a Charleston to Don’t Blame it On Me by Michael Bublé.
Karen, “I’m lost for words – it was so good!”
Arthur said, “What a joy Danny Boy!”
Danny and Salome scored a total of 36 points – the highest score of the night.
Tune in next week for the first elimination of the series – the glitz, glamour, and nail-biting competition will continue on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player next Sunday, January 19th at 6:30pm.
-ENDS-
Date: Sunday January 12th 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.
For all the latest news and backstage gossip on Dancing with the Stars, keep an eye on our social channels:
Instagram: @RTEOne & @DWTSIrl
TikTok: @RTEOne
Facebook: @RTEOne
Twitter: @RTEOne @DWTSIrl
#DWTSIrl