Dancing with the Stars is an Irish reality television series, airing on RTÉ One, that started on 8 January 2017. It is currently hosted by Jennifer Zamparelli and Laura Fox, who is standing in for Doireann Garrihy while she is on maternity leave. The show is based on the original British version, Strictly Come Dancing, and is part of the Dancing with the Stars franchise. The judging panel currently consists of Arthur Gourounlian, Oti Mabuse, Karen Byrne and Brian Redmond.
Production In August 2016, it was confirmed that RTÉ One would broadcast an Irish version of Dancing with the Stars, which would replace the successful The Voice of Ireland, which was cancelled in order for the broadcaster to order the new show. A producer of the show commented, "We've got fantastic production people in Ireland who, I believe, deliver a show that's comparable with any of those shows on a fraction of the budget. So we're looking forward to the task of doing this equally the same way."
It became quickly apparent that the television studios at RTÉ Television Centre in Dublin were too small for the large scale production of Dancing with the Stars. Therefore, the production has been based in Ardmore Studios in County Wicklow, whose largest studio is .
Format The format of the series follows celebrities being paired up with professional dancers, who perform predetermined dances each week for judges' scores and public votes, with the couple with the lowest number of points being eliminated, until the winning couple remains.
Judges and hosts SeriesHostJudges 1 2 3 4 1 Amanda Byram Nicky Byrne Brian Redmond Loraine Barry Julian Benson N/A 2 3 Jennifer Zamparelli 4 5Arthur Gourounlian 6 Doireann Garrihy 78Karen Byrne9Laura FoxOti Mabuse
On 18 December 2016, RTÉ confirmed that Julian Benson, Loraine Barry and Brian Redmond would be the judges on the programme. The show's creative director, Darren Bennett, stood in for Benson at various points throughout Benson's time on the show when he was absent due to illness.
People in the running to be host of the show included former Westlife musician and 2012 Strictly Come Dancing contestant Nicky Byrne; as well as popular radio host Ray D'Arcy, though D'Arcy ruled himself out of the running in August 2016. In October 2016, it was reported that Marty Whelan had auditioned to host the show. In November, it was reported that Amanda Byram had been selected as one of the hosts. In December, it was confirmed that Byrne would host alongside Byram. It was also confirmed that Bláthnaid Treacy would be hosting RTÉ Two spin-off show, Can't Stop Dancing, airing on Friday nights before the live shows.
On 28 August 2018, after two series, Amanda Byram confirmed that she would not be returning as a presenter in 2019. On 30 October 2018, Jennifer Zamparelli was confirmed as Byram's replacement.
On 12 November 2021, it was announced that the series would return after one-year hiatus following the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosts, Zamaparelli and Byrne were slated to return alongside judges, Barry and Redmond. Julian Benson would not return for the fifth series, being replaced by choreographer and creative director, Arthur Gourounlian.
On 25 August 2022, Nicky Byrne announced that he would be stepping away from hosting duties after five seasons to focus on Westlife touring commitments. On 7 October 2022, it was announced that Doireann Garrihy would take over from Byrne as co-host for the sixth season alongside Zamparelli.
On 8 December 2024, it was announced that two-time champion, and the series' only professional dancer to take part in all of the previous seven seasons, Karen Byrne would join the judging panel. Season 8 would, therefore, become the first edition to feature four judges rather than its usual three.
On 25 September 2025, it was announced that after eight series as head judge, Loraine Barry would be leaving the show. On 1 October 2025, it was announced that former Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, Oti Mabuse would take over as judge for the ninth season. RTÉ 2fm presenter and Season 7 finalist, Laura Fox was announced as co-host for the season, filling in for Doireann Garrihy while she takes maternity leave.
Professional dancers and their partners Professional dancersSeries 1Series 2Series 3Series 4Series 5Series 6Series 7Series 8Series 9 Robert Rowiński Maïa DunphyCliona HaganGlenda Gilson Brooke Scullion Eileen Dunne Aishah Akorede Anne Cassin Kylee Vincent colspan="3" Fr. Ray KellyNeil DelamereDamian McGinty Davy Russell Michael Fry Laura Nolan colspan="3" Brian DowlingMatthew MacNabbKevin McGahernShane Quigley MurphyRhys McClenaghanPaudie Moloney Stephen Vincent colspan="3" Yewande BialaEllen Keane Dr. Marie Cassidy Rosanna Davison Gearóid Farrelly Niamh KavanaghErvinas Merfeldas colspan="4" Missy Keating Stephanie Roche Katja MiaKayleigh Trappe Stephanie KellyAlex Vladimirov colspan="7" Jack Woolley Amber WilsonDaniela Roze colspan="7" Mickey Joe HartePhilip DoyleMaciej Zieba colspan="7" Joanna Donnelly Tolü MakayRebecca Scott colspan="7" Kevin Dundon Jordan DarganArianna Favaro colspan="8" Eric RobertsJames Cutler colspan="8" Brian KennedyLeonardo Lini colspan="8" Katelyn CumminsFormer professional dancersDenys Samson colspan="4" Erica-Cody Panti BlissLaura FoxElaine Crowley Salome Chachua colspan="4" Jordan ConroyPaul Brogan David WhelanDanny O'Carroll Simone Arena colspan="6" Blu Hydrangea Yasmin Seky Karen Byrne Des CahillJake CarterDarren KennedyMichael CarruthNicolas RocheShane Byrne Jason Smyth colspan="2" Jillian Bromwich colspan="6" Rory Cowan colspan="2" Montel Hewson colspan="6" Miriam Mullins colspan="2" Michael Danilczuk colspan="5" Suzanne Jackson colspan="3" John NolanTeresa MannionDeirdre O'KaneMairéad RonanMary KennedyGráinne Seoige Leah O'Rourke colspan="3" Emily BarkerHughie MaughanRob HeffernanJohnny WardAidan Fogarty Aengus Mac GriannaCarl Mullan colspan="3" Maurizio Benenato colspan="4" Cathy Kelly colspan="4" Hannah Kelly colspan="4" Billy McGuinness colspan="4" Pasquale La Rocca colspan="3" Lottie RyanNina Carberry colspan="4" Giulia DottaDes BishopTomás O'LearyFred CookeRyan Andrews colspan="5" Kai WiddringtonKatherine LynchAnna GearyDemi Isaac OviaweGráinne Gallanagh colspan="5" Ryan McShaneDenise McCormackErin McGregorEilish O'CarrollSinéad O'Carroll colspan="5" Ksenia ZsikhotskaDayl CroninMarty MorrisseyPeter Stringer colspan="6" Trent Whiddon colspan="2" Holly Carpenter colspan="6" Valeria MilovaAidan O'MahonyBernard O'SheaDenis Bastick colspan="6" Vitali KozminAoibhín GarrihyAlannah BeirneClelia Murphy colspan="6" Curtis PritchardThalia HeffernanNorah Casey colspan="7" Sean SmullenDr. Eva Orsmond colspan="8"
Key: Winner of the series Finalist (2nd/3rd/4th place) First elimination of the series Participating in current series
Notes Week 7 of Series 1 and Week 6 of Series 2, 3 and 4 was 'Switch-Up Week' in which the celebrities danced with different pros for one week only. The table above reflects this as it excludes each pro's regular celebrity partner's Switch-Up Week score and includes their Switch-Up Week partner's score. Series 5 saw Ervinas Merfeldas step in for Denys Samson and Stephen Vincent for Weeks 9 and 10 respectively, and Emily Barker step in for Salome Chachua in Week 10, due to illness. The scores are reflected in the tables above and added to the stand-in professionals totals. Series 6 saw Maurizio Benenato originally partner, Brooke Scullion. However, in the third week of the competition, Benenato left due to unforeseen circumstances and was replaced with Robert Rowiński. The scores are reflected in the table above with Benenato accounting for Scullion's first two scores and Rowiński accounting for Week 3's scores onwards.
Overall highest and lowest scoring performances The best and worst performances over each series in each dance according to the judges' scale are as follows. Team Dances and Marathons are not on this list. DanceCelebrityHighest scoreCelebrityLowest scoreTango Denise McCormack30 Bernard O'Shea 10Cha-cha-chaLottie RyanErica-CodyBrooke ScullionFr. Ray Kelly 6Salsa Dayl CroninDenise McCormackAnna GearyDavid Whelan Jack Woolley Dr. Eva OrsmondBilly McGuinnessRory Cowan 13FoxtrotAoibhín GarrihyJohnny Ward 28Fr. Ray Kelly 8Charleston Denise McCormackAoibhín GarrihyAnna GearyJake CarterRyan AndrewsGráinne GallanaghNina CarberryEllen KeaneErica-CodyLaura FoxBlu HydrangeaRhys McClenaghanTolü MakayKatelyn CumminsEric Roberts30 Rory Cowan 11Waltz Cliona Hagan Aengus Mac GriannaQuickstep Cliona HaganLottie RyanBlu HydrangeaEric Roberts Teresa MannionMarty Morrissey 12Jive Johnny WardLaura FoxDavid Whelan Kevin Dundon Paudie Moloney 8RumbaSuzanne JacksonGráinne Seoige13Paso DobleNina CarberryEllen KeaneJordan ConroyBrooke ScullionRhys McClenaghanFr. Ray Kelly 9American Smooth Ryan AndrewsJack WoolleyTolü Makay Katelyn Cummins Leah O'Rourke 10Contemporary Ballroom Aoibhín GarrihyJake CarterJohnny WardMairéad RonanRyan AndrewsJordan ConroyBrooke ScullionDamian McGintyBlu HydrangeaJack Woolley Billy McGuinness 17Samba Suzanne JacksonBlu HydrangeaKevin Dundon9Viennese Waltz Mairéad RonanGráinne GallanaghNina CarberryKatelyn Cummins Fr. Ray Kelly 10ShowdanceAidan O'MahonyAoibhín GarrihyDenise McCormackAnna GearyMairéad RonanJake CarterJohnny WardCliona HaganJordan ConroyCarl MullanSuzanne JacksonDamian McGintyLaura FoxJason SmythDavid WhelanBlu HydrangeaJack WoolleyRhys McClenaghanKatelyn CumminsEric RobertsPaudie Moloney 22
Ranking of couples
This table only counts for single dances scored on a traditional 30-points scale. It does not include the Team Dance or Marathon scores.