Elaine Crowley is the second celebrity to exit Dancing with the Stars
Elaine Crowley became the second celebrity to be eliminated from series eight of Dancing with the Stars last night.
Elaine and pro partner Denys Samson had the lowest number of votes combined from the first four episodes.
On exiting the competition Elaine said: “I’m disappointed but I had a shaky day today.”
Elaine and Denys will speak to Laura Fox on 2FM at 9.30am tomorrow morning for their first broadcast interview following their exit from the show. They will also feature on the RTÉ Today show presented by Dáithí Ó Sé, Maura Derrane and Sinéad Kennedy on Monday afternoon.
It was Movie Week on the show tonight. The annual special saw the ten remaining celebrity couples dance glittering routines inspired by some of the biggest movies of all time, with iconic heroes, villains and much-loved characters taking centre stage.
Former Miss Universe Ireland, Aishah Akorede and Robert Rowiński were the first to take to the dancefloor tonight with their take on a Cha-cha-cha to Rescue Me by Fontella Bass from Sister Act.
Judge Karen Byrne said: “Aishah you didn’t need any rescuing tonight! You did not disappoint. What an opener!”
Judge Arthur Gourounlian said: “You took the whole audience to the chapel with you… you have stunning charisma. You have set the standard for Movie Week.”
Aishah and Robert scored a total of 24 points.
Dancing second on the night comedian Gearóid Farrelly transformed into The Artful Dodger, alongside his partner Stephen Vincent for an American Smooth to Consider Yourself from Oliver!
Arthur said: “That lift – my jaw dropped. It’s the first time you’ve danced without looking to Stephen for validation. I’m so proud of you.”
Judge Brian Redmond said: “There were some issues with the feet but it’s your only Achille’s heel. The razzmatazz was there. Your overall performance – “please sir can I have some more?”
Gearóid and Stephen scored a total of 22 points.
Third up were social media star Kayleigh Trappe and her partner Ervinas Merfeldas were aiming for “purr-fection” when they took on a Quickstep to the title track from The Aristocats.
Brian said: “That was so fast you were like a cat on a hot tin roof! It did get a little skittish in the middle but your shoulder line was beautiful. In comparison to last week you should be “feline” alot happier.”
Karen said: “You’re great at being different characters. I was watching thinking how is she that good at being a cat? That was a jam packed quick step but you kept your frame – even with that tail… it didn’t phase you at all.”
Kayleigh and Ervinas scored a total of 21 points.
Next up Taekwondo star Jack Woolley and his pro dancer, Alex Vladimirov assumed the roles of supervillains The Joker and Harley Quinn for a Tango to Lady Gaga’s version of The Joker from last year’s Joker: Folie à Deux.
Karen said: “You weren’t joking Jack! It was unbelievable.”
Arthur said: “The way you played the character it was captivating. You had us on the edge of our seats. Bravo.”
Brian said: “Like the movie, it wasn’t quite as I good as I was hoping.”
Jack and Alex scored a total of 23 points.
Dancing in the fifth slot tonight meteorologist Joanna Donnelly and her partner Maciej Zieba danced a Quickstep to Mrs. Robinson by Simon and Garfunkel from the 1960s classic, The Graduate.
Brian said: “While you may not have a degree in dancing yet I think you passed this test. Work to do but definitely an improvement.”
Arthur said: “You bring me joy every week!”
Karen said: “Ballroom seems to be your thing. It was a lovely, neat dance.”
Joanna and Maciej scored a total of 17 points.
Ireland AM presenter Elaine Crowley and Denys Samson performed an energetic Jive to You Can’t Stop the Beat from Hairspray.
Brian said: “That was really interesting for me to watch. After the catastrophe that was last week I could see your confidence coming back step by step. More bounce needed but you bounced back.”
Karen said: “I feel like a proud mammy watching you. Your spark is back. The real question is – who uses more hairspray – you or Denys? Well done you.”
Elaine and Denys scored a total of 18 points.
Following in Paul Mescal’s footsteps, Mrs. Brown’s Boys actor Danny O’Carroll and his partner Salome Chachua delivered the drama with a Paso Doble to Now We Are Free from Gladiator.
Karen said: “You took Movie Week by storm. I was dying to see you looking all serious. The character, the tricks – I’m sweating!”
Arthur said: “This production was breathtaking. I was here for it – epic!”
Brian said: “I was a bit worried about you last week but for me this performance puts you back among red carpet royalty.”
Danny and Salome scored a total of 25 points.
Performing eighth on the night Kin actress Yasmin Seky channelled her inner-Disney princess when she and her partner, Simone Arena danced the first Contemporary Ballroom of the season to How Far I’ll Go from Moana.
Arthur said: “I have a daughter Blake who loves Moana and she will love this dance.”
Karen said: “I know every child at home will be singing their hearts out. I absolutely loved it – let it go, enjoy yourself. You were giving it welly. You should be very proud.”
Yasmin and Simone scored a total of 26 points.
Chef Kevin Dundon turned green when he and his partner Rebecca Scott danced to I’m a Believer by Smash Mouth from the classic Shrek.
Brian said: “That jive was more donkey than Shrek – a sticky, gloopy mess!”
Arthur said: “Kevin, Kevin, Kevin – was that a jive? I’m not sure… but you brought joy to Movie Week!”
Kevin and Rebecca scored a total of 8 points.
Last and by no means least Olympic gold medal-winner, Rhys McClenaghan and his partner, Laura Nolan took us to dizzying heights this week as they danced a Charleston to the theme from Spider-Man.
Karen said: “My god you couldn’t have picked a better movie. The whole thing was perfect… I’m gonna stop now because I’m lost for words – unreal!”
Brian said: I thought this was extraordinary. It’s an absolute honour to watch an Olympic gold medal winner improving his dance skills. Well done”
Rhys and Laura scored a total of 29 points.
As the final dance number for the night the Dancing with the Stars professional dancers defied gravity with a special group number from the critically acclaimed musical Wicked.
Join us for some Bank Holiday weekend glitz and glam as each couple chooses a special moment for their Dedicated Dance – there will be no elimination next Sunday, February 2nd. Tune in on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player next Sunday from 6:30pm.
-ENDS-
Date: Sunday January 26th 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.
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