Dancing With The Stars officially returned to TV screens on Sunday evening with a glittering start as Karen Byrne swapped the dancefloor for the judges table.
Joanna Donnelly avoided a dry spell, Gearoid Farrelly recovered from a slip and Rhys McClenaghan from Co Down wowed the judges with the highest score of the night.
Things kicked off with a fun-filled opening number, All I Wanna Do by Outsight, featuring all eleven celebrities: Olympic gold medalist and gymnast Rhys McClenaghan, Ireland AM presenter Elaine Crowley, celebrity chef Kevin Dundon, actress Yasmin Seky, social media star Kayleigh Trappe, meteorologist Joanna Donnelly, Eurovision singer Mickey Joe Harte, Irish taekwondo Olympian Jack Woolley, comedian Gearoid Farrelly, Mrs. Brown’s Boys actor Danny O’Carroll, former Miss Universe Ireland, Aishah Akorede and each of their professional dance partners.
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They were joined under the glitterball by presenters Jennifer Zamparelli and Doireann Garrihy, alongside the other three judges Brian Redmond, Loraine Barry and Arthur Gourounlian.
Mrs Brown’s Boys star Danny O’Carroll and his pro partner Salome Chachua opened the season in style as they danced a smooth Foxtrot to Obviously by McFly. His put his comedy skills to good use and a score of 22 “wasn’t out of his league”.
Karen Byrne said: “What a way to open the show, I was pleasantly surprised. You have great potential, so well done.”
Loraine Barry said: “Lots of flow and lots of flight, you used your feet well. I would like to see more dancing.”
Kin star Yasmin Seky left her gangland character of Nikita behind to dance a fast-paced and feelgood Samba to Oh Na Na by Camila Cabello, Myke Towers and Tainy with her pro partner Simone Arena. They scored 25.
Brian Redmond said: “For me, akin to a dance of two halves. I noticed all of those body rhythm, absolutely fantastic.
Arthur Gourounlian: “Yasmin is in the house. You have a natural rhythm about you. You got this baby!”
Comedian Gearoid Farrelly and his dance partner Stephen Vincent brought passion and dramatic attitude to their Tango Dua Lipa’s Training Season . His slip at the beginning was no laughing matter, but his score of 28 was not to be sneered at.
Arthur said: “You showed us all the hard work you put into this routine. I can see you overthinking, don’t! Let it go and enjoy the moment.”
Brian said: “You dealt with the slip so well. If Dancing With The Stars wasn’t hard enough, you made it even more challenging by dancing with a man.”
Olympian Jack Woolley, paired with show newcomer Alex Vladimirov, swapped taekwondo training for the dancefloor. They danced an elegant Viennese Waltz complete with twists, turns and dizzying spins to Die with a Smile by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, getting a score of 30.
Brian: “I wished I look like you after a couple of weeks of learning. It was absolutely immaculate.”
Karen: “I am easy to make cry and I feel like I could cry. For your first dance, I am lost for words.”
Weather presenter Joanna Donnelly put this weekend’s snow to one side as she and pro Maciej Zieba made it rain on the dancefloor with their Cha-cha-cha to It’s Raining Men. They scored 15 from the judges.
Loraine said: “I am always happy to see true classic cha cha steps. You gave it your best.”
Arthur: “I was hoping you would challenge the stormy weather outside. I can’t wait to see you doing ballroom next week.”
Eurovision legend Mickey Joe Harte joined new pro Daniela Roze for a powerful Paso Doble to Teenage Kicks and the judges were divided. He got 19.
Arthur said: “You have to be more in sync with Daniela going forward. You really enjoyed yourself, keep it going.”
Karen said: “Mickey Joe has arrived – and he brought his leather trousers with him. It was brilliant, well done.”
Former Miss Universe Ireland, Aishah Akorede put her best foot forward as she and her pro partner Robert Rowinski dazzled with a fast and flowing Quickstep to Myles Smith’s Stargazing, scoring an “out of this world” total of 29.
Comedian Gearoid Farrelly with his Pro Dance Partner Stephen Vincent during Dancing with the Stars week 1
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Brian said: “Great start. Beautiful posture but we need more from the feet. You could be out of this world.”
Karen said: “This frame look so natural, you fit into Robert’s arms so well. It look like you are made for each other.”
Celebrity chef Kevin Dundon and new professional dancer Rebecca Scott served up some tasty steps with their American Smooth to Everybody Eats When They Come to My House by John Lithgow. The judges ate it up, serving him 17.
Arthur said: “It wasn’t perfect, but it was cute and fun. The only way is up.”
Karen said: “I am happy watching you dance, that is what the show is about.”
Social media star Kayleigh Trappe and her pro partner Ervinas Merfeldas came from behind the screen to dance a fast and fun Jive to Yes by Merry Clayton. Karen, Loraine, Brian and Arthur loved it, giving them 28.
Brian said: “Plenty of energy. You never know how far you might go.”
Actress Yasmin Seky with her Pro Dance Partner Simone Arena
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Arthur said: “You channelled this 80s party chick and I loved it. It was an exciting routine.”
A lady by dance and a lady by nature, Ireland AM presenter Elaine Crowley and her partner Denys Samson glided around the dancefloor with a Waltz to Three Times a Lady by The Commodores, getting a total of 23.
Loraine said: “It was so beautiful to watch, the storytelling was there.”
Meteorologist and Author Joanna Donnelly with her Pro Dance Partner Maciej Zieba
(Image: No credit)
Arthur said: “You were graceful and elegant tonight. You put a spell on the ballroom and I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”
The final couple to dance tonight was gymnast Rhys McClenaghan and his pro partner Laura Nolan, and he had another golden moment dancing a gravity defying salsa to Head and Heart by Joel Corry featuring MNEK. They closed the show with a whopping 31 to top the leaderboard.
Brian said: “Everyone loves a trip to Funderland this time of the year, and that is exactly what it was for me.”
Karen said: “What a way to finish the show tonight.”
Loraine: “It was the perfect dance for you to show your skills. It was spot on.”
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