Chef Kevin Dundon has become the sixth celebrity to hang up his dancing shoes and Stetson hat after being voted off Dancing with the Stars tonight. 

Speaking about his time on the show Kevin said: “I feel great. I’ve had the time of my life. It’s been an absolute pleasure getting to know this lady – she has the patience of a saint our Rebecca!”

Rebecca said of Kevin, “He’s so kind, so generous and a ray of sunshine!” 

Kevin and his pro partner Rebecca Scott 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 dreaded dance off were Kevin and Aishah Akorede.

Here’s the lowdown on the rest of the ninth show:

Dancing with the Stars brought a never-before-seen twist to proceedings this Sunday evening with the introduction of a very special theme: Country Week!

In a first for the series, the six quarter finalists danced a series of toe-tapping country music-themed performances in honour of one of the most popular music genres in the country, transforming the dancefloor into a Nashville style honky tonk for one night only!

Taekwondo athlete, Jack Woolley opened the show tonight dancing a Quickstep to Dasha’s 2024 top five hit Austin (Boots Stop Workin’) alongside his pro dance partner Alex Vladimirov.

Judge Loraine Barry said: “You absolutely rocked the quick step. Well done.”

Judge Arthur Gourounlian said: “That kicked in faster than my morning coffee! You were like a hurricane, it was effortless and electrifying! If the dance floor had a speed limit you’d have broken it.”

Jack and Alex scored a total of 35 points.

Next up lip-syncing social media star Kayleigh Trappe and her partner Ervinas Merfeldas performed a romantic Rumba to I Will Always Love You by Dolly Parton.

Judge Brian Redmond said: “Overall, I think you did a very good job. There were the odd moments where you lost a bit of softness in the body . . . .parts got as stiff as Dolly Parton’s corset. But the rest of it was exemplary.”

Judge Karen Byrne said: “The Rumba is difficult and that was particularly difficult because the music was very slow . . . You have to have a certain balance. I have to say you’ve some set of legs! Well done!”

Kayleigh and Ervinas scored a total of 33 points.

With a string of entertaining performances under his belt, chef, Kevin Dundon glided into week nine alongside his professional dance partner Rebecca Scott with a Charleston to Rompin’ Stompin’ by Scooter Lee.

Brian Redmond said: “You’re not always everybody’s favourite but those who like you love you. I can’t believe I’m feeding into this but you’re becoming a guilty pleasure.”

Karen Byrne said: “The Charleston is about having fun and making people smile. Did you do that? In bucket loads!”

Kevin and Rebecca scored a total of 21 points. 

Following on from his leader board-topping dance last week, Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Rhys McClenaghan and his professional dance partner Laura Nolan performed an American Smooth to Nathan Carter’s classic version of Wagon Wheel.

Karen Byrne said, “It’s roasting in here but you give me goosebumps. You’re such a joy to look at. You make it look easy.”

Loraine Barry said: “Everything and I mean everything was perfect in this routine… absolute perfection.”

Rhys and Laura scored a total of 39 points. 

Having earned her first ever 10 score paddle last week, former Miss Universe Ireland Aishah Akorede was hoping to maintain her good form when she and partner Robert Rowiński Jive to Lainey Wilson’s recent country hit, Hang Tight Honey.

Brian Redmond said: “Aishah with a capital A! The timing was a little behind Robert but lots of great jive content and overall lots of country cuteness.”

Loraine Barry said, “Blondes certainly have more fun. And with that fun, you also have to have a lot of energy for that jive. I really enjoyed the whole production. Well done!”

Aishah and Robert score a total of 32 points.

After finding himself in last Sunday’s Dance-Off, Mrs. Brown’s Boys actor Danny O’Carroll will be hoping his luck will change when he and partner Salome Chachua took on a Quickstep to Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire.

Arthur Gourounlian said: “It was fun, fast and fantastic.”

Loraine Barry said, “It was a toe tapping performance. You gave it your best and that’s all we can ask for.”

Danny and Salome scored a total of 30 points.

Week nine also saw the annual Team Dance challenge return! After their individual dances, the final six couples were divided into two teams of three. The couples performed again in their teams hoping to increase their judges’ score.

Whatever points they earned in the Team Dance were added to their individual score meaning everything was to play for.

Team Footloose consisted of Kevin, Kayleigh and Jack dancing to Footloose by Kenny Loggins.

Loraine said, “Wow – that was incredible. Tremendous!” 

Brian praised Kevin for being a “true leader” and Arthur admired Jack and Ervinas’ helicopter lift saying how “versatile and powerful” they were.

Team Footloose scored a total of 35 points. 

Team Timber consisted of Danny, Aishah and Rhys dancing to Timber by Pitbull featuring Kesha.

Loraine said, “You knocked it out of the park – the lifts, the tricks, the synchronization!”

Arthur said, “You brought the magic. Aishah – you were shining and dominating the dancer floor.”

Team Timber scored 39 points and won the challenge.  

The Pro dance was a Hoe-Down to The Girl’s Gone Wild by Travis Tritt.

The semi final of Dancing with the Stars – Fright Night airs next Sunday March 9th, 6:30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

-ENDS- 
Date: Sunday March 2nd 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.

You can follow all the action as it unfolds live on the Dancing with the Stars tracker on www.rte.ie/entertainment

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