The Glitterball awaits: Dancing with the Stars unveils dance pairings for 2026
With the new season of Dancing with the Stars shimmering in the not-too-distant future this New Year, the celebrity and dancer pairings of the twelve couples have been revealed. The series returns to brighten our Sundays on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player from Sunday 4 January at 6.30pm.
This year, Dancing with the Stars welcomes three new professional dancers to the DWTS family: Arianna Favaro, Leonardo Lini, and James Cutler.
Pairing up to sparkle on screens this season are:
Eurovision winner and singer Niamh Kavanagh and Stephen Vincent
Stars are in her eyes as Niamh Kavanagh teams up with Stephen Vincent to take to the dancefloor. Stephen was paired last year with Niamh’s good friend and podcast co-host Gearóid Farrelly, so we may see some friendly competition there on and off screen!
Paudie Moloney from The Traitors Ireland and Laura Nolan
The nation’s Daddy Paudie Moloney is paired with Laura Nolan, who took home the Glitterball Trophy last year with Rhys McClenaghan. This is Laura’s sixth season on the dancefloor and, being paired with Paudie, we are guaranteed to see a few treacherous twists and turns ahead.
Reigning Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins and Leonardo Lini
Newcomer Leonardo Lini is paired with Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins, who was presented with the title earlier this year after dancing a jive live on stage. Leonardo is an Italian dancer, known for his talent in Latin-American, ballroom, and modern dance. But how are his jiving skills?
Comedian and actor Michael Fry and Kylee Vincent
Known for his comedic acting and stand-up, Michael Fry is teaming up with returning dancer Kylee Vincent, who is back on the dancefloor after her maternity leave. As Michael puts on his dancing shoes, Kylee and husband Stephen will both have that Glitterball Trophy in their sights.
Fair City actress Stephanie Kelly and Ervinas Merfeldas
From the Fair City set to the dancefloor, Stephanie Kelly is paired with pro dancer Ervinas Merfeldas from Kildare, who is embarking on his fourth season of Dancing with the Stars. Ervinas wowed audiences last year with partner Kayleigh Trappe as they reached the final. This year, Ervinas and Stephanie will be looking to waltz their way into the hearts of the public.
TV host and social media star Eric Roberts is paired with newcomer Arianna Favaro, who joins Dancing with the Stars this season. Arianna is a Latin-American style dancer from Italy. She is known for both her competitive career and her work on stage. Arianna is in a relationship with DWTS pro dancer, Maciej Zieba, so viewers will be watching to see the chemistry and the competition between the couple!
Dr. Philip will be going for gold with his pro partner Daniela Roze, a five-time all-Ireland Latin dance champion from Maynooth. She has also represented Ireland in many international competitions winning a plethora of titles. This is her second season on DWTS, having been paired with singer Mickey Joe Harte last year. Viewers will be looking forward to seeing Philp and Daniela row in together on the dancefloor this season.
Musician Tolü Makay is paired with Maciej Zieba, who returns for his second season of Dancing with the Stars, just as his real-life partner Arianna joins the line-up of pro dancers this season. Maciej is from Poland and has been competing in Latin American and Ballroom dancing since the age of five. He is a former student of fellow Dancing with the Stars pro dancer Robert Rowiński and was partnered last year with meteorologist Joanna Donnelly.
In the first female same-sex pairing ever on Dancing with the Stars, podcaster Amber Wilson is paired with Alex Vladimirov, who is back for her second season. Born in Ukraine, Alex was raised in Germany. She has particularly focused on Ballroom and Latin dance. Alex Vladimirov made it to the final with Taekwondo athlete Jack Woolley. Amber is sure to keep Alex on her toes.
Anne Cassin is a familiar face on our TV screens but we’ll now see her take to the dancefloor with Robert Rowinski. This year marks Robert’s seventh season of Dancing with the Stars. He has reached the final on two occasions, with country music singer, Cliona Hagan in 2019 and with Eurovision star, Brooke Scullion in 2023. He reached the semi-final last year with former Miss Ireland Aishah Akorede.
Apprentice UK finalist Jordan Dargan and Rebecca Scott
Business guru and entrepreneur Jordan Dargan is teaming up with Rebecca Scott, who is back for her second season on Dancing with the Stars. Rebecca has travelled all over the world to represent England, winning numerous awards and titles. Rebecca made it all the way to the quarter final last year with partner Kevin Dundon. Viewers will be tuning in to see Jordan and Rebecca fire up the dancefloor this season.
In the second same-sex pairing of this season of Dancing with the Stars, singer-songwriter and Eurovision star Brian Kennedy is paired with newcomer James Culter, a British professional ballroom and Latin dancer. James has taken part in the Belgian version of DWTS as a professional dancer. He has won multiple national and international dance titles and has worked in television and theatre choreographing sell-out West End shows.
Dancing with the Stars is hosted by Jennifer Zamparelli and Laura Fox. Filling our Sunday evenings with glitz and glamour from January, the RTÉ series will see 12 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 Salsa, 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: Oti Mabuse, Brian Redmond, Arthur Gourounlian and Karen Byrne, and as well as the viewing public at home, with the winning couple claiming the much-coveted glitter ball trophy at the end of the series.
Tune in for all the glitz and glam from Sunday 4 January on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
-ENDS-
For further information:
Rayna Connery, RTÉ Senior Communications Lead
Kate Smyth, RTÉ Communications Lead