Sunday night’s Dancing with the Stars was a rollercoaster of emotion as the remaining eight celebrities took to the dancefloor for Dedicated Dance week.
Kicking off the proceedings in style, the pro dancers put in moving performance to Nothing Compares 2 U by the late Sinéad O’Connor.
In Pictures: Dancing with the Stars Dedicated Dance Week
There were plenty of misty-eyed moments for the studio audience and viewers at home as the stars took to the dancefloor in honour of their nearest and dearest.
From David Whelan’s proud dad Jim beaming at him from the audience, to Davy Russell’s emotional tribute to his beloved wife, and Laura Fox’s no-nonsense granny Nora, aka ‘Nono’, there was a lot enjoy.
Wild Youth star Whelan scored the first 10 of the season for his Rumba, leaving him at the top of the judges’ leaderboard, while Blu Hydrangea ended a Paso Doble in the most iconic manner possible.
Davy and his pro partner Kylee Vincent received the highest combined points between the judges and viewers at home – giving them immunity from the dreaded dance-off next week.
As no couple was eliminated this week, all eight celebrities will dance again next Sunday.
Here is the story of the night:
Blu Hydrangea and Simone Arena
First to take the dancefloor were Blu Hydrangea and Simone Arena performing a Paso Doble to Sissy That Walk by RuPaul in honour of the iconic American drag legend.
Blu said the dance, that ended in a dramatic death drop, is for “anybody at home who feels like you can’t find your tribe, some day you will”.
Loraine Barry commented: “The death drop, it’s a drop mic moment but there were many great moments. That surge of intense energy all the way through. Blu you did good! This was an immense Paso Doble.”
Arthur Gourounlian said: “You smashed that! You’ve embraced it tonight and you had the technique down. You exceeded my expectations tonight. It was an extravaganza performance.”
Brian Redmond added: “You could not have given that any more but it was just a bit one paced, don’t be afraid of those quieter moments. You really did perform so well.”
They scored 24 from the judges.
Jason Smyth and Karen Byrne
Up next were Jason Smyth and Karen Byrne who danced a Viennese Waltz to Daughters by John Mayer in tribute to Smyth’s own daughters, Evie and Lottie.
Arthur said: “Jason that was beautiful and very emotional. You were a little bit stiff in the upper body, enjoy, just relax! But it was a beautiful dedication, very refined. Bravo.”
Brian: “I have to say I do agree with Arthur, it was just a little bit stiff, but there’s no doubt about it you’ve got all the key features in there.” He added that Jason’s daughters “would be beaming from ear to ear”.
Loraine: “I feel that your lower body and your upper body had an internal battle going on. But your relationship together is just to be admired. Super show, well done.”
They scored 20 from the judges.
Katja Mia and Ervinas Merfeldas
Katja Mia and Ervinas Merfeldas were the third couple to perform with a Tango to Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves by Eurythmics feat. Aretha Franklin in a tribute to her own sisters, Andrea and Fiona, who joined her on-stage at the beginning of the dance.
Brian said: “This Tango, a bit like Dancing with the Stars, had something in it for everybody. Hip action! In Tango! Even for somebody who’s an old fuddy duddy like me, lots of great Tango content, you delivered all of that with such power and confidence.”
Loraine said: “I loved the opening, it was a lot of fun. Well done, that’s a beautiful Tango, lots of great choreography. You nailed it! This was a striking performance.”
Arthur added: “If this was a game you were never going to lose this round, you went for it. You were really in control. Congratulations to you both tonight.”
They scored 26 from the judges.
David Whelan and Salome Chachua
David Whelan and Salome Chachua took to the dancefloor to perform a Rumba to Fields of Gold by Sting in honour of his father, Jim, a former dancer himself. He clearly did his dad proud and it was emotional to see Jim beaming with pride from the audience.
Loraine said: “Just looking at you tonight, hands down a beautiful Rumba. All the great actions we need to see. You got that lovely action of the legs, the release of the hip.”
Arthur enthused: “There’s only one person I want to hear from, Jim how was it? It was so powerful, the whole body was screaming Rumba to me.”
Brian added: “That Rumba – to dance it like that was absolute perfection. That’s what a competition Rumba looks like, it’s amazing that you’re basically a beginner. The closest I’ve seen to a championship level Rumba on this show”.
They scored a total of 28.
Davy Russell and Kylee Vincent
Davy Russell and Kylee Vincent followed with a Contemporary Ballroom to Roar by Katy Perry in tribute to Russell’s wife, Edelle.
Arthur said: “Davy! What a great dance for you tonight. You gave us some impressive lifts, Kylee has such a trust in you. You were in the moment and you were living your best life!”
Brian said: “Dedication is something that you understand, you’ve given up so much time away from your family. This hard work is starting to pay off, it’s not perfect, but even with the standard being as high, the dedication is getting you up there.”
Loraine added: “The lifts the flicks the catches, the timing. It was spot on – a superb performance.”
They scored 26 from the judges.
Eileen Dunne and Robert Rowiński
Eileen Dunne, sporting an incredible pink-tinged mohawk, and Robert Rowiński performed a Foxtrot to Proud Mary by Creedance Clearwater Revival in honour of her friend and former colleague, Mary Kennedy.
Brian commented: “Foxtrot is one of the most difficult dances to do, and there were some timing difficulties. You kept smiling, as the professional as you are, I enjoyed your journey down this road. Not your best night but keep it going!”
Loraine complimented the “lovely rolling through the feet”, but said “it got a bit bumpy”.
“But you know what – you kept going. Well done,” she added.
Arthur said: “It’s an elegant dance, but I have to agree it was a little bit bumpy in places. But you made it look easy, I hope Mary Kennedy is very proud of you tonight.”
They scored a total of 17.
Laura Fox and Denys Samson
Laura Fox and Denys Samson were the penultimate couple to take to the dancefloor with a lively and light-footed Quickstep to Galway Girl by Sharon Shannon and Mundy in celebration of her grandmother and biggest supporter, Nora AKA ‘Nono’.
Loraine said: “A super cute opening here, then it was bam out on the floor! Super light. A bit tight on the shoulders, but a fabulous, fun Quickstep.”
Arthur commented: “You were literally owning that Quickstep, you were so in control. Side by side, you’re so good. Every time you step on this dancefloor I’m very excited. You had it all!”
Brian added: “It was almost like a Galwegian gallop, it gave it a lovely lightness. I have to say, overall that was right up my Shop Street!”
They scored a total of 25.
Rosanna Davison and Stephen Vincent
The last couple to take to the dancefloor were Rosanna Davison and Stephen Vincent dancing a Rumba to Lady in Red by her father Chris de Burgh, in tribute to his fifty years music industry.
Arthur said: “It’s official you are the Lady in Red and somehow made this song even more iconic. You hypnotised me, there were no gimmicks, it was so stripped back. I felt everything.”
Brian said: “I thought last week was your standout performance but I’ve never seen you look so lovely as you did tonight. He said he’d like to see her relax a bit more but added: “Overall a red hot Rumba.”
Loraine said: “On paper you have the assets for the Rumba, tonight you did very good. Gorgeous lines, the odd time the foot came off the floor, but you really worked hard. It was quite sexy and sultry.”
They scored a total of 26.
Dancing with the Stars, Sunday nights at 6.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
