Dancing with the Stars returned for its ninth series, starting on 4 January 2026 on RTÉ One.
On 25 September 2025, the head judge, Loraine Barry announced her departure from the series after eight years on the panel.
On 1 October 2025, RTÉ confirmed that the show would return for its ninth series, with former Strictly Come Dancing professional, Oti Mabuse taking over the role as head judge. It was confirmed that Brian Redmond, Arthur Gourounlian and Karen Byrne would join Mabuse on the panel for their ninth, fifth and second seasons, respectively. Host Jennifer Zamparelli was also announced to return for her seventh season with RTÉ 2fm presenter and Season 7 runner-up, Laura Fox filling in for Doireann Garrihy while she is on maternity leave.
On 23 November the professional dancer line-up was confirmed with Robert Rowiński, Stephen Vincent, Laura Nolan, Ervinas Merfeldas, Alex Vladimirov, Daniela Roze, Maciej Zieba and Rebecca Scott all returning from the previous season. Denys Samson, Salome Chachua and Simone Arena announced that they would not return to the series. They would be replaced by Arianna Favaro, James Cutler and Leonardo Lini. Kylee Vincent would also return to the show having taken the previous season off to give birth.
On 20 February 2026, it was announced that former host Nicky Byrne would return to the show for the 100th Episode Special as a guest judge.
Katelyn Cummins and Leonardo Lini were announced as the winners after the final on 15 March 2026, while Eric Roberts and Arianna Favaro, Paudie Moloney and Laura Nolan, and Tolü Makay and Maciej Zieba were the runners up.
Couples On 7 December 2025, singer and Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh was announced as the first contestant to take part.
CelebrityKnown forProfessionalStatusMichael FryComedian & actorKylee Vincent Eliminated 1ston 11 January 2026Brian KennedySinger-songwriterJames Cutler Eliminated 2ndon 18 January 2026Amber WilsonPodcasterAlex Vladimirov Eliminated 3rdon 25 January 2026Anne CassinNationwide presenterRobert Rowiński Eliminated 4thon 8 February 2026Niamh KavanaghSinger & Eurovision winnerStephen Vincent Eliminated 5thon 15 February 2026Stephanie KellyFair City actressErvinas Merfeldas Eliminated 6thon 22 February 2026Philip DoyleOlympic rowerDaniela Roze Eliminated 7thon 1 March 2026Jordan DarganThe Apprentice starRebecca Scott Eliminated 8thon 8 March 2026Tolü MakaySinger-songwriterMaciej ZiebaRunners-up on 15 March 2026Paudie MoloneyThe Traitors starLaura NolanEric RobertsIreland AM presenterArianna FavaroKatelyn CumminsThe Rose of TraleeLeonardo LiniWinners on 15 March 2026
Scoring chart CouplePlace121+234567891011Katelyn & Leonardo128303534+=35+3=38+38=78+=Eric & Arianna 229225131313432+=654637+=39+=+=Paudie & Laura23162323+=+=+=+=Tolü & Maciej272633323736+=7549+2=4236+35=71+37=77Jordan & Rebecca5282553342835+=684337+5=4238+39=77Philip & Daniela62231532933193335+=684831+4=35Stephanie & Ervinas71919382727302631+=7034Niamh & Stephen817284523303127+=66Anne & Robert9231841182425Amber & Alex101424382219Brian & James1123 Michael & Kylee12212344
Red numbers indicate the couples with the lowest score for each week. Green numbers indicate the couples with the highest score for each week. the couple eliminated that week the returning couple that was called forward and eventually last to be called safe, but was not necessarily in the bottom the returning couple that finished in the bottom two and competed in the Dance-Off the winning couple the two/three runners-up the couple was immune from elimination "—" indicates the couple(s) did not dance that week
Average chart This table only counts for dances scored on a traditional 40-points scale. It does not include the Marathon, Team Dance, or Guest Judge scores. Rank byaveragePlaceCoupleTotalpointsNumber ofdancesTotalaverage11Katelyn & Leonardo4651335.822Eric & Arianna45034.6Tolü & Maciej45Jordan & Rebecca3711133.756Philip & Daniela271930.167Stephanie & Ervinas205825.678Niamh & Stephen172724.6812Michael & Kylee44222.092Paudie & Laura2801321.5109Anne & Robert122620.31110Amber & Alex79419.81211Brian & James51317.0
Highest and lowest scoring performances The highest and lowest performances in each dance according to the judges' scale are as follows. DanceCelebrityHighest scoreCelebrityLowest scoreTangoTolü Makay39Paudie Moloney22Cha-cha-chaJordan Dargan38Paudie MoloneyBrian Kennedy13SalsaEric Roberts39Niamh Kavanagh17FoxtrotTolü Makay32Eric Roberts22CharlestonTolü MakayKatelyn CumminsEric Roberts40Paudie Moloney16WaltzPaudie Moloney23Philip Doyle22QuickstepEric Roberts40Michael Fry21JiveTolü Makay35Paudie Moloney11RumbaKatelyn Cummins39Tolü Makay33Paso DobleEric RobertsTolü Makay36Brian Kennedy15American SmoothTolü MakayKatelyn Cummins40Stephanie KellyAmber Wilson19Contemporary BallroomPhilip Doyle38Amber Wilson22SambaKatelyn Cummins38Philip Doyle19Viennese WaltzKatelyn Cummins40Brian Kennedy23ShowdanceEric RobertsKatelyn Cummins40Paudie Moloney29Team DanceKatelyn CumminsTolü MakayStephanie KellyNiamh Kavanagh39Eric RobertsPhilip DoyleJordan DarganPaudie Moloney33MarathonEric Roberts6Paudie Moloney1
Couples' highest and lowest scoring dances Scores out of 50 were converted to the traditional 40-point scale. CoupleHighest scoring danceLowest scoring danceKatelyn & LeonardoViennese Waltz, Charleston, American Smooth & Showdance (40)Jive (28)Eric & AriannaQuickstep, Charleston & Showdance (40)Foxtrot (22)Paudie & LauraShowdance (29)Jive (11)Tolü & MaciejCharleston & American Smooth (40)Cha-cha-cha (26)Jordan & RebeccaAmerican Smooth & Charleston (39)Viennese Waltz (25)Philip & Daniela Contemporary Ballroom (38)Samba (19)Stephanie & ErvinasViennese Waltz (31)American Smooth & Cha-cha-cha (19)Niamh & Stephen Paso Doble (31)Cha-cha-cha (16)Anne & RobertAmerican Smooth (25)Jive (14)Amber & AlexTango (24)Cha-cha-cha (14)Brian & JamesViennese Waltz (23)Cha-cha-cha (13)Michael & KyleeSamba (23)Quickstep (21)
Weekly scores and songs Unless indicated otherwise, individual judges scores in the charts below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Brian Redmond, Karen Byrne, Oti Mabuse, Arthur Gourounlian.
Week 1
Running order CoupleScoreDanceMusicNiamh & Stephen17 (3, 5, 4, 5)Salsa"1–2–3" – Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound MachinePhilip & Daniela22 (5, 6, 5, 6)Waltz"Love is On the Way" – Billy PorterAmber & Alex14 (3, 4, 3, 4)Cha-cha-cha"Woman's World" – Katy PerryMichael & Kylee21 (5, 6, 5, 5)Quickstep"Goodbye Mr A" – The HoosiersAnne & Robert23 (6, 6, 5, 6)Foxtrot"I Wanna Be Loved by You" – Sinéad O'ConnorJordan & Rebecca28 (6, 7, 7, 8)Salsa"Desire" – Years & YearsBrian & James23 (5, 6, 6, 6)Viennese Waltz"Piano Man" – Billy JoelTolü & Maciej27 (6, 7, 7, 7)Samba"Hello" – Sigala x Leigh-Anne x JonitaStephanie & Ervinas19 (4, 5, 5, 5)American Smooth"Please Please Please" – Sabrina CarpenterEric & Arianna29 (6, 7, 8, 8)Jive"Shake a Tail Feather" – The Blues Brothers and Ray CharlesKatelyn & Leonardo31 (7, 8, 8, 8)Tango"The Fate of Ophelia" – Taylor SwiftPaudie & Laura13 (2, 4, 3, 4)Cha-cha-cha"A Little Less Conversation" – Elvis Presley vs. JXL
Week 2
Running order CoupleScoreDanceMusicResultKatelyn & Leonardo28 (6, 7, 7, 8)Jive"APT." – Rosé and Bruno MarsSafeJordan & Rebecca25 (5, 7, 6, 7)Viennese Waltz"Diamonds & Roses" – KingfishrSafeAnne & Robert18 (4, 5, 4, 5)Paso Doble"The 5th" – David GarrettSafeStephanie & Ervinas19 (4, 5, 5, 5)Cha-cha-cha"I'm a Slave 4 U" – Britney SpearsSafeEric & Arianna22 (6, 6, 5, 5)Foxtrot"Daisies" – Justin Bieber SafeMichael & Kylee23 (4, 6, 7, 6)Samba"Sapphire" – Ed SheeranEliminatedBrian & James13 (2, 4, 3, 4)Cha-cha-cha"Mr Electric Blue" – Benson BooneLast to be called safeAmber & Alex24 (5, 6, 6, 7)Tango"Call Me" – BlondieLast to be called safeTolü & Maciej32 (7, 8, 8, 9)American Smooth"Man I Need" – Olivia DeanSafePaudie & Laura23 (4, 6, 7, 6)Waltz"The Godfather Waltz" – Carlo Savina and Nino RotaSafePhilip & Daniela31 (7, 8, 8, 8)Salsa"We Are One (Olodum Mix) – PitbullSafeNiamh & Stephen28 (6, 7, 7, 8)Quickstep"Billy-A-Dick" – Bette MidlerSafe
Week 3: Movie Week Running order CoupleScoreDanceMusicMovieResultPhilip & Daniela29 (7, 7, 7, 8)Paso Doble"Superman Theme" – John OttmanSupermanSafeTolü & Maciej26 (6, 7, 6, 7)Cha-cha-cha"Car Wash" – Christina Aguilera feat. Missy ElliottShark TaleSafeBrian & James15 (3, 4, 4, 4)Paso Doble"The Phantom of the Opera" – Sarah Brightman and Michael CrawfordThe Phantom of the OperaEliminatedKatelyn & Leonardo35 (8, 9, 9, 9)American Smooth"Whistle While You Work" – Rachel ZeglerSnow WhiteSafeAnne & Robert18 (4, 5, 4, 5)Cha-cha-cha"Fame" – Irene CaraFameSafeStephanie & Ervinas27 (6, 7, 7, 7)Quickstep"You're the One That I Want" – John Travolta and Olivia Newton-JohnGreaseLast to be called safeAmber & Alex22 (5, 6, 5, 6)Contemporary Ballroom"For Good" – Cynthia Erivo and Ariana GrandeWicked: For GoodSafePaudie & Laura16 (4, 4, 4, 4)Charleston"Meet the Flintstones" – Postmodern JukeboxThe FlintstonesLast to be called safeNiamh & Stephen23 (5, 6, 6, 6)Foxtrot"Destination Anywhere" – The Commitments, Niamh KavanaghThe CommitmentsSafeEric & Arianna31 (7, 8, 8, 8)Samba"Cuban Pete" – Jim CarreyThe MaskSafeJordan & Rebecca34 (7, 9, 9, 9)Contemporary Ballroom"Pandora" – James HornerAvatarSafe
Week 4: Country Week
Running order CoupleScoreDanceMusicResultAmber & Alex19 (5, 5, 4, 5)American Smooth"The Giver" – Chappell RoanEliminatedEric & Arianna31 (7, 8, 8, 8)Viennese Waltz"Tennessee Whiskey" – Chris StapletonSafeNiamh & Stephen16 (4, 5, 3, 4)Cha-cha-cha"That Don't Impress Me Much" – Shania TwainLast to be called safeJordan & Rebecca34 (8, 9, 8, 9)Paso Doble"Dead End Road" – Jelly RollSafePaudie & Laura23 (5, 6, 6, 6)Quickstep"Stop the World (and Let Me Off)" – Declan NerneySafeTolü & Maciej33 (7, 8, 9, 9)Rumba"There You'll Be" – Faith HillSafeAnne & Robert24 (6, 6, 6, 6)Quickstep"Ann" – Val DoonicanLast to be called safePhilip & Daniela33 (7, 8, 9, 9)American Smooth"Rhinestone Cowboy" – Glen CampbellSafeStephanie & Ervinas27 (6, 7, 7, 7)Charleston"Yihaa" – Dolly StyleSafeKatelyn & Leonardo30 (6, 8, 8, 8)Quickstep"Hit The Diff" – Marty MoneSafe
Week 5: Dedicated Dance
Running order CoupleScoreDanceMusicDedicationResultTolü & Maciej32 (7, 8, 9, 8)Foxtrot"When We Were Young" – AdeleHer sister, Timmy SafePhilip & Daniela19 (4, 5, 4, 6)Samba"Dancing Queen" – ABBAHis mother, Una SafeStephanie & Ervinas 30 (6, 8, 8, 8)Paso Doble"Firestone (Glewil Remix) – Kygo feat. ConradHer son, Zach SafeKatelyn & Leonardo35 (8, 9, 9, 9)Contemporary Ballroom"Never Enough" – Kelly ClarksonHer parents, Noel & Siobhan Granted immunityAnne & Robert25 (6, 7, 6, 6)American Smooth"Don't Stop" – Fleetwood MacHer mother, Nancy SafeEric & Arianna34 (8, 9, 8, 9)Tango"Clocks" – ColdplayHis nephew, Oisín SafeJordan & Rebecca39 (9, 10, 10, 10)American Smooth"The Voyage" – Christy MooreHis mother, Ruth SafeNiamh & Stephen30 (7, 8, 7, 8)American Smooth"Daniel" – Elton JohnHer nephew, Daniel SafePaudie & Laura11 (2, 4, 2, 3)Jive"Jailhouse Rock" – The Blues BrothersHis ten grandchildren Safe
Week 6: Fright Night
Running order CoupleScoreDanceMusicResultStephanie & Ervinas26 (6, 7, 6, 7)Salsa"Evacuate the Dancefloor" – CascadaSafePaudie & Laura23 (5, 6, 6, 6)Paso Doble"The Traitors theme" – Sam WattsSafeKatelyn & Leonardo34 (7, 9, 9, 9)Cha-cha-cha"Break My Heart" – Dua Lipa ImmuneAnne & Robert14 (3, 4, 3, 4)Jive"Can't Tame Her" – Zara LarssonEliminatedJordan & Rebecca28 (7, 7, 7, 7)Samba"I Want You to Freak" – Rak-SuLast to be called safePhilip & Daniela33 (8, 8, 8, 9)Tango"Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)" – Robert PalmerBottom twoTolü & Maciej37 (9, 9, 9, 10)Contemporary Ballroom"Bring Me to Life" – Evanescence feat. Paul McCoySafeNiamh & Stephen31 (7, 7, 8, 9)Paso Doble"Danger! High Voltage" – Electric SixSafeEric & Arianna39 (9, 10, 10 10)Charleston"Happy" – C2C feat. Derek MartinSafe
Judges' votes to save Gourounlian: Philip & Daniela