Gearóid Farrelly is the next celebrity to be eliminated from Dancing with the Stars
Gearóid Farrelly and their pro dance partner Stephen Vincent became the fifth celebrity to bid farewell to Dancing with the Stars tonight, as Orchestra Night with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra drew to a close.
Speaking about their time on the show Gearóid said: “This has been the happiest few months of my life. I think it’s important to say that the pro dancers are just the most unbelievable people. People only see the choreography and dancing, but they are literally our therapists, our lifelines in this whole thing. We didn’t win the glitterball, but sweat makes good cement, and we got a good friendship out of it!”
Gearóid and his pro partner Stephen will speak to Laura Fox on 2FM at 9.30am tomorrow morning for their first broadcast interview following their exit from the show.
The two celebrities who found themselves in the dance off were Danny O’Carroll and Gearóid Farrelly.
The RTÉ Concert Orchestra performed live in studio this evening, as each couple pulled out all the stops to stay in the competition. The Orchestra was conducted by Music Director Gavin Murphy, and they were joined by singers Susan McFadden and Ashton Jones on live vocals.
The show opened in spectacular style as the celebrity and pro dancers stormed the dancefloor to El Medley (Latin House)/María by Café Latino/Ricky Martin.
The first celebrity to take to the floor tonight was social media star Kayleigh Trappe, who performed a Charleston to Lady Gaga’s version of That’s Entertainment alongside her pro dance partner Ervinas Merfeldas.
Judge Loraine Barry said “You had us all guessing where is this going with this slow, glamorous, dramatic opening, but then it still trained into this charismatic, fun filled Charleston. There was some quirkiness about it as well. I was on the edge of my seat.. you absolutely nailed it. Fabulous opening.”
Judge Arthur Gourounlian said: “What a way to open Orchestra Night! I loved it. The Charleston character was cheeky, you guys brought it tonight. I think this dance really suited you.”
Judge Karen Byrne said: “The swivels were absolutely brilliant. Overall I think the Charleston is all about character, and you got into that character. You did a great job.”
Kayleigh and Ervinas scored a total of 32 points.
Next up, Mrs. Brown’s Boys actor, Danny O’Carroll and pro partner Salome Chachua brought the heat with a Salsa to Lionel Richie’s All Night Long.
Arthur said “I can watch you dancing all night long. It was a feel good vibrant salsa for me, and you really captured the spirit of the dance. It was infectious and dynamic, I loved it.”
Judge Brian Redmond said “Cool, suave sophisticated but still handsome energy. The technique was there, the energy was there. Week eight – you’re starting to become a real contender.”
Loraine said: “For me it was definitely a Danny cool. That inner rhythm went through from the hips to the shoulders. I liked the way you drew us all in to watch you. I actually liked you tonight, a lot!”
Danny and Salome scored a total of 33 points.
Chef Kevin Dundon and his dance partner Rebecca Scott danced into Orchestra Night with a Foxtrot to Livin’ Thing by Electric Light Orchestra.
Brian said: “I’ve never seen anyone do a Foxtrot and bring as much fun as you did there. Apart from the one misstep I think the only other problem you had was your wonky wand at the start!”
Karen said: “Your dancing wasn’t as dodgy as your magic skills! “That was a Foxtrot with lovely rise and fall. You’re improving every week, your frame was a lot better. You deserve to be here and I believe in you. You make everyone smile!”
Loraine said: “For me you had some magical moments. You had that beautiful elevation, a reverse turn into that three step… You had very good footwork there. I like you as you know, in frame, and that’s all I want, more of that.”
Arthur said: “You were having the time of your life there, and I see the joy on your face. A charming performance.”
Kevin and Rebecca scored a total of 24 points.
Following on from earning the first perfect score of the season last week, Taekwondo athlete Jack Woolley and his partner Alex Vladimirov danced a fiery Samba to the Ricky Martin hit The Cup of Life.
Karen said: “Jack – go on you good thing! The samba roll, that was like looking at two pros out on the floor. For me, that was the highlight. It was brilliant.”
Loraine said “Thank you for taking us out of wet and windy Ireland and transporting us to Rio! It was so vibrant, so much energy. You gave it your all. You had this ripple through the body. There was so much fun.”
Arthur said: “From the first beat you brought the samba party atmosphere and that’s exactly what this dance needs and thrives on. Your Samba bounce was incredible! It was authentic, full of life.”
Brian said: “I could feel myself getting a stitch just watching you, that level of energy – it’s very difficult to achieve. It’s the first time I saw you look complete from top to toe.”
Jack and Alex scored a total of 37 points.
Former Miss Universe Ireland Aishah Akorede and her dance partner Robert Rowiński danced an American Smooth to Vanessa Carlton’s A Thousand Miles.
Loraine said “Just like you that was absolutely beautiful. It truly was American Smooth. You had the posture and the poise, and highlight was the beautiful elegant lift on Robert’s back. It was simply divine.”
Arthur said: “To me you have this beautiful zest about you, how graceful and demure you were in this number. Your lifts were mesmirising. You were floating tonight. It was my ballroom of the season.”
Brian said: “The last two weeks have been tough, it was a pleasure to see you back doing your thing, you were so elegant. If there’s any lesson to be taken away, it’s that belief is internal. Believe in yourself because I believe in you.”
Karen said: “Everything was seamless going into frame, going into lifts. This dance highlighted you two as a couple so nicely. Everything was seamless, going into frame, going into lifts. Not only that, for me it was the end, You can tell that it’s so genuine and it’s special.”
Aishah and Robert scored a total of 36 points.
Olympic hero Rhys McClenaghan and his pro partner Laura Nolan took to the floor with a Contemporary Ballroom to The Verve anthem, Bittersweet Symphony.
Arthur said “That was truly captivating for me. Your movement and the way you extended everything, you were flowing I was in awe! Your lifts were seamless. Absolutely beautifully executed.”
Brian said “I’ve asked you to show more emotion, and tonight you had a great big smile on your face. You did a really good job of including those tricks and flips into the dance that I know you can do without overpowering. Getting better all the time, well done.”
Karen said: “It was seamless from one movement to the next. It was as smooth as butter.”
Loraine said: “What you did with the leaps, the lifts, floor work, and also putting in your handstand while putting fluidity into it. I thought it was truly sublime.”
Rhys and Laura scored a total of 39 points.
Finally, comedian Gearóid Farrelly and his pro partner Stephen Vincent danced an energetic Charleston to Emeli Sandé and The Bryan Ferry Orchestra’s version of Beyoncé’s Crazy in Love.
Brian said: “Delighted to say I enjoyed watching that Charleston from start to finish, the power, the energy, the control. Overall, I think this is the best dance I’ve seen you do.”
Karen said: “Can we talk about the props, you had two and you handled them brilliantly. You can see in all the lifts that you’re challenging yourself all of the time. It was one of your best dances, you should be very proud.”
Loraine said: “There is a fun very cheeky energy about you both tonight. There’s so much there, swivels, timing, the lifts, all that drama. I commend you for putting that in.”
Arthur said: “For me it was one stylish Charleston, so playful, with a very cute character. And most of all theatrical! It looked like you were straight out of the West End. I loved it, you shined tonight.”
Gearóid and Stephen scored a total of 33 points.
To close tonight’s show, the Dancing with the Stars pro dancers performed a flowing number to Yesterday by The Beatles.
The glitz, glamour, and nail-biting competition will all unfold as the series continues on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player next Sunday, March 2nd at 6:30pm.
-ENDS-
Date: Sunday February 23rd 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.
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