Dancing with the Stars (Irish TV series) series 8

Dancing with the Stars
Series 8
Presented byJennifer Zamparelli
Doireann Garrihy
JudgesArthur Gourounlian
Loraine Barry
Brian Redmond
Karen Byrne
No. of episodes11
Release
Original networkRTÉ One
Original release5 January 2025 (2025-01-05) –
present
Series chronology
← Previous
Series 7

Dancing with the Stars returned for an eighth series on 5 January 2025 on RTÉ One.

On 30 August 2024, RTÉ confirmed that the show would return for an eighth series, with hosts Jennifer Zamparelli and Doireann Garrihy returning for their sixth and third seasons respectively.[1]

On 8 December 2024 it was confirmed that two-time champion, Karen Byrne would join the judging panel for this series, bringing the panel from three to four for the first time ever.[2] On 15 December the professional dancer line-up was confirmed. With Karen Byrne joining the judging panel, Kylee Vincent on maternity leave and Jillian Bromwich and Montel Hewson leaving to focus on their professional dancing careers, four new professional dancers; Alex Vladimirov, Daniela Roze, Maciej Zieba and Rebecca Scott, joined the show.[3][4][5]

Couples

[edit]

On 9 December 2024, former Miss Universe Ireland, Aishah Akorede was announced as the first celebrity to take part.[6] Celebrity reveals continued throughout the month until 15 December when Joanna Donnelly was revealed as the final celebrity taking part.[7]

Celebrity Known for Professional Status
Mickey Joe Harte Singer-songwriter Daniela Roze Eliminated 1st
on 19 January 2025
Elaine Crowley Ireland AM presenter Denys Samson Eliminated 2nd
on 26 January 2025
Joanna Donnelly Meteorologist & weather presenter Maciej Zieba Eliminated 3rd
on 9 February 2025
Yasmin Seky Kin actress Simone Arena Eliminated 4th
on 16 February 2025
Gearóid Farrelly Stand-up comedian & podcaster Stephen Vincent Eliminated 5th
on 23 February 2025
Aishah Akorede Former Miss Universe Ireland Robert Rowiński Participating
Danny O'Carroll Mrs. Brown's Boys actor Salome Chachua Participating
Jack Woolley Taekwondo athlete Alex Vladimirov Participating
Kayleigh Trappe Social media personality Ervinas Merfeldas Participating
Kevin Dundon Chef Rebecca Scott Participating
Rhys McClenaghan Olympic artistic gymnast Laura Nolan Participating

Scoring chart

[edit]
Couple Place 1 2 3 1+2+3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Aishah & Robert 29 27 30 86 24 31 30 33 36 +
Danny & Salome 22 36 24 82 25 31 36 34 33 +
Jack & Alex 30 32 33 95 23 38 35 40 37 +
Kayleigh & Ervinas 28 29 24 81 21 29 30 32 32 +
Kevin & Rebecca 17 13 18 48 8 22 25 20 24 +
Rhys & Laura 31 32 30 93 29 33 39 31 39 +
Gearóid & Stephen 7 28 28 30 86 22 28 31 32 33
Yasmin & Simone 8 25 26 36 87 26 29 32 29
Joanna & Maciej 9 15 23 19 57 17 24 23
Elaine & Denys 10 23 23 20 66 18
Mickey Joe & Daniela 11 19 14 28 61
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

[edit]

This table only counts for dances scored on a traditional 40-points scale. Scores out of 30 were converted to the traditional 40-point scale.

Rank by
average
Place Couple Total
points
Number of
dances
Total
average
1 Jack & Alex 276 8 34.5
2 Rhys & Laura 273 8 34.1
3 Danny & Salome 249 8 31.1
4 Aishah & Robert 248 8 31.0
5 8 Yasmin & Simone 212 7 30.3
6 7 Gearóid & Stephen 239 8 29.9
7 Kayleigh & Ervinas 232 8 29.0
8 10 Elaine & Denys 90 4 22.5
9 9 Joanna & Maciej 127 6 21.2
10 11 Mickey Joe & Daniela 61 3 20.3
11 Kevin & Rebecca 150 8 18.8

Highest and lowest scoring performances

[edit]

The highest and lowest performances in each dance according to the judges' scale are as follows. Scores out of 30 were converted to the traditional 40-point scale.

Dance Celebrity Highest score Celebrity Lowest score
Tango Rhys McClenaghan 32 Kevin Dundon 22
Cha-cha-cha Jack Woolley
Aishah Akorede
32 Joanna Donnelly 15
Salsa Danny O'Carroll 33 Elaine Crowley 20
Foxtrot Mickey Joe Harte 28 Danny O'Carroll 22
Charleston Rhys McClenaghan 38 Aishah Akorede 30
Waltz Kevin Dundon 25 Elaine Crowley
Joanna Donnelly
23
Quickstep Rhys McClenaghan 39 Kevin Dundon 18
Jive Jack Woolley
Rhys McClenaghan
33 Kevin Dundon 11
Rumba Rhys McClenaghan 31 Yasmin Seky 29
Paso Doble Jack Woolley 35 Mickey Joe Harte 19
American Smooth Jack Woolley 38 Kevin Dundon 17
Contemporary Ballroom Jack Woolley 40 Kayleigh Trappe 29
Samba Jack Woolley 37 Kevin Dundon 13
Viennese Waltz Danny O'Carroll 34 Kayleigh Trappe 29
Showdance
Team Dance
Marathon

Couples' highest and lowest scoring dances

[edit]

Scores out of 30 were converted to the traditional 40-point scale.

Couples Highest scoring dance Lowest scoring dance
Aishah & Robert American Smooth (36) Salsa (27)
Danny & Salome Charleston & Contemporary Ballroom (36) Foxtrot (22)
Jack & Alex Contemporary Ballroom (40) Viennese Waltz (30)
Kayleigh & Ervinas Salsa & Charleston (32) Cha-cha-cha (24)
Kevin & Rebecca Waltz (25) Jive (11)
Rhys & Laura Quickstep & Contemporary Ballroom (39) Cha-cha-cha (30)
Gearóid & Stephen Charleston (33) Tango, Cha-cha-cha & Paso Doble (28)
Yasmin & Simone Charleston (36) Samba (25)
Joanna & Maciej Tango (24) Cha-cha-cha (15)
Elaine & Denys Jive (24) Salsa (20)
Mickey Joe & Daniela Foxtrot (28) Jive (14)

Weekly scores and songs

[edit]

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, Loraine Barry, Arthur Gourounlian.

Week 1

[edit]
Running order
Couple Score[8] Dance[8] Music[8]
Danny & Salome 22 (5, 6, 5, 6) Foxtrot "Obviously" – McFly
Yasmin & Simone 25 (6, 6, 6, 7) Samba "Oh Na Na" – Camila Cabello, Myke Towers & Tainy
Gearóid & Stephen 28 (6, 7, 8, 7) Tango "Training Season" – Dua Lipa
Jack & Alex 30 (7, 8, 7, 8) Viennese Waltz "Die with a Smile" – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars
Joanna & Maciej 15 (3, 4, 4, 4) Cha-cha-cha "It's Raining Men" – The Weather Girls
Mickey Joe & Daniela 19 (5, 5, 5, 4) Paso Doble "Teenage Kicks" – The Undertones
Aishah & Robert 29 (7, 7, 7, 8) Quickstep "Stargazing" – Myles Smith
Kevin & Rebecca 17 (3, 5, 4, 5) American Smooth "Everybody Eats When They Come to My House" – John Lithgow
Kayleigh & Ervinas 28 (7, 7, 7, 7) Jive "Yes" – Merry Clayton
Elaine & Denys 23 (5, 6, 5, 7) Waltz "Three Times a Lady" – Commodores
Rhys & Laura 31 (7, 8, 8, 8) Salsa "Head & Heart" – Joel Corry feat. MNEK

Week 2

[edit]
Running order
Couple Score[9] Dance[9] Music[9]
Gearóid & Stephen 28 (6, 7, 7, 8) Cha-cha-cha "Disco Inferno" – The Trammps
Mickey Joe & Daniela 14 (3, 5, 3, 3) Jive "Mickey" – Toni Basil
Kayleigh & Ervinas 29 (7, 7, 7, 8) Viennese Waltz "Timeless" – Meghan Trainor
Kevin & Rebecca 13 (2, 4, 3, 4) Samba "Volare" – Gipsy Kings
Yasmin & Simone 26 (6, 7, 6, 7) Foxtrot "Birds of a Feather" – Billie Eilish
Rhys & Laura 32 (8, 8, 8, 8) Tango "Tanguera" – Sexteto Mayor
Joanna & Maciej 23 (5, 6, 6, 6) Waltz "Moon River" – Barbra Streisand
Elaine & Denys 23 (5, 6, 6, 6) Paso Doble "Standing in the Way of Control" – Gossip
Jack & Alex 32 (8, 8, 8, 8) Cha-cha-cha "Rush" – Troye Sivan
Aishah & Robert 27 (6, 7, 7, 7) Salsa "Deep Down" – Alok, Ella Eyre and Kenny Dope
Danny & Salome 36 (9, 9, 9, 9) Charleston "Don't Blame it On Me" – Michael Bublé

Week 3

[edit]
Running order
Couple Score Dance Music Result
Kayleigh & Ervinas 24 (6, 6, 6, 6) Cha-cha-cha "Espresso" – Sabrina Carpenter Safe
Kevin & Rebecca 18 (4, 5, 4, 5) Quickstep "Soda Pop" – Robbie Williams feat. Michael Bublé Last to be called safe
Aishah & Robert 30 (7, 8, 7, 8) Tango "I Like the Way You Kiss Me" – Artemas Safe
Rhys & Laura 30 (7, 8, 7, 8) Cha-cha-cha "Treasure" – Bruno Mars Safe
Joanna & Maciej 19 (4, 5, 5, 5) Samba "Gimme Hope Jo'anna" – DJ Jazzy D The GrooveMaster Safe
Danny & Salome 24 (5, 7, 6, 6) Jive "C'mon Everybody" – Eddie Cochran Last to be called safe
Gearóid & Stephen 30 (7, 8, 7, 8) Viennese Waltz "Everybody Hurts" – R.E.M. Safe
Elaine & Denys 20 (5, 5, 5, 5) Salsa "Turn the Beat Around" – Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine Safe
Yasmin & Simone 36 (9, 9, 9, 9) Charleston "Been Like This" – Meghan Trainor and T-Pain Safe
Mickey Joe & Daniela 28 (7, 7, 7, 7) Foxtrot "Too Sweet" – Hozier Eliminated
Jack & Alex 33 (8, 8, 8, 9) Jive "Stay" – The Kid LAROI feat. Justin Bieber Safe

Week 4: Movie Week

[edit]

Individual judges scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Brian Redmond, Karen Byrne, Arthur Gourounlian.

Due to a family beverement, head judge Loraine did not appear on this weeks show. This means that the total score was out of 30 instead of 40.[10]

Running order
Couple Score[11] Dance[11] Music[11] Movie[11] Result
Aishah & Robert 24 (8, 8, 8) Cha-cha-cha "Rescue Me" – Fontella Bass Sister Act Safe
Gearóid & Stephen 22 (7, 7, 8) American Smooth "Consider Yourself" – Max Bygraves Oliver! Last to be called safe
Kayleigh & Ervinas 21 (7, 7, 7) Quickstep "The Aristocats" – The Mike Sammes Singers The Aristocats Safe
Jack & Alex 23 (7, 8, 8) Tango "The Joker" – Lady Gaga Joker: Folie à Deux Last to be called safe
Joanna & Maciej 17 (5, 6, 6) Quickstep "Mrs. Robinson" – Simon & Garfunkel The Graduate Safe
Elaine & Denys 18 (6, 6, 6) Jive "You Can't Stop the Beat" – Hairspray cast Hairspray Eliminated
Danny & Salome 25 (8, 8, 9) Paso Doble "Now We Are Free (Remix)Gabry Ponte, Blasterjaxx, 1 World & AntoNetta Gladiator Safe
Yasmin & Simone 26 (8, 9, 9) Contemporary Ballroom "How Far I'll Go" – Auliʻi Cravalho Moana Safe
Kevin & Rebecca 8 (2, 3, 3) Jive "I'm a Believer" – Smash Mouth Shrek Safe
Rhys & Laura 29 (9, 10, 10) Charleston "Spider-Man" – Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience Spider-Man Safe

Week 5: Dedicated Dance Week

[edit]
Running order
Couple Score[9] Dance[9] Music[9] Dedication[9] Result
Rhys & Laura 33 (8, 8, 8, 9) Jive "Gold Dust" – DJ Fresh His coach, Luke Carson Safe
Joanna & Maciej 24 (6, 6, 6, 6) Tango "Dreams" – The Cranberries A couple she helped through her charity, 'Pomegranate' Safe
Yasmin & Simone 29 (7, 7, 7, 8) Rumba "Halo" – Beyoncé Her former youth service workers Safe
Kevin & Rebecca 22 (5, 6, 5, 6) Tango "Let's Dance" – David Bowie His wife, Catherine Safe
Aishah & Robert 31 (8, 7, 8, 8) Samba "Kese (Dance)" – Wizkid Her mother, Kemi Safe
Gearóid & Stephen 28 (6, 7, 8, 7) Paso Doble "Holding Out for a Hero" – Bonnie Tyler His parents, Eamon & Deirdre Safe
Kayleigh & Ervinas 29 (7, 7, 8, 7) Contemporary Ballroom "Brave" – Sara Bareilles Her niece, Fíadh Safe
Jack & Alex 38 (9, 10, 9, 10) American Smooth "Grace" – The Wolfe Tones His friend, Kellie Harrington Granted immunity
Danny & Salome 31 (7, 8, 8, 8) Cha-cha-cha "She's a Lady" – Tom Jones His father, Brendan Safe

Week 6: Eurovision Week

[edit]
Running order
Couple Score[12] Dance[13] Music[13] Eurovision[13] Result
Joanna & Maciej 23 (5, 6, 6, 6) Jive "Waterloo" – ABBA 1st place, Sweden - 1974 Eliminated
Danny & Salome 36 (9, 9, 9, 9) Contemporary Ballroom "Arcade" – Duncan Laurence 1st place, The Netherlands - 2019 Safe
Jack & Alex 35 (8, 9, 9, 9) Paso Doble "Cha Cha Cha" – Käärijä 2nd place, Finland - 2023 Immune
Kayleigh & Ervinas 30 (7, 7, 8, 8) Samba "Fuego" – Eleni Foureira 2nd place, Cyprus - 2018 Safe
Gearóid & Stephen 31 (7, 8, 8, 8) Contemporary Ballroom "In Your Eyes" – Niamh Kavanagh 1st place, Ireland - 1993 Safe
Yasmin & Simone 32 (7, 8, 8, 9) Salsa "Qélé, Qélé" – Sirusho 4th place, Armenia - 2008 Last to be called safe
Rhys & Laura 39 (9, 10, 10, 10) Quickstep "Fairytale" – Alexander Rybak 1st place, Norway - 2009 Safe
Kevin & Rebecca 25 (6, 6, 7, 6) Waltz "Amar pelos dois" – Salvador Sobral 1st place, Portugal - 2017 Safe
Aishah & Robert 30 (7, 8, 8, 7) Charleston "Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit" – Gina G 8th place, United Kingdom - 1996 Bottom two

Judges votes to save

  • Gourounlian: Aishah & Robert
  • Byrne: Aishah & Robert
  • Redmond: Aishah & Robert
  • Barry: Did not vote, but would have voted for Aishah & Robert

Week 7: Love Week

[edit]
Running order
Couple Score Dance[14] Music[14] Result
Kevin & Rebecca 20 (5, 5, 5, 5) Paso Doble "You Give Love a Bad Name" – Bon Jovi Last to be called safe
Rhys & Laura 31 (7, 8, 8, 8) Rumba "Love Me like You Do" – Ellie Goulding Safe
Yasmin & Simone 29 (7, 7, 7, 8) Jive "Tainted Love" – Imelda May Eliminated
Danny & Salome 34 (8, 8, 9, 9) Viennese Waltz "This Year's Love" – David Gray Safe
Aishah & Robert 33 (8, 8, 8, 9) Paso Doble "We Found Love" – Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris Bottom two
Jack & Alex 40 (10, 10, 10, 10) Contemporary Ballroom "You've Got The Love" – Florence and the Machine Safe
Gearóid & Stephen 32 (8, 8, 8, 8) Quickstep "You Can't Hurry Love" – Phil Collins Safe
Kayleigh & Ervinas 32 (8, 8, 8, 8) Salsa "Let There Be Love" – Christina Aguilera Safe

Judges votes to save

  • Gourounlian: Aishah & Robert
  • Byrne: Aishah & Robert
  • Redmond: Aishah & Robert
  • Barry: Did not vote, but would have voted for Aishah & Robert

Week 8: Orchestra Night

[edit]
Running order
Couple Score[15] Dance[15] Music[15] Result[15]
Kayleigh & Ervinas 32 (8, 8, 8, 8) Charleston "That's Entertainment" – Lady Gaga Safe
Danny & Salome 33 (8, 8, 8, 9) Salsa "All Night Long (All Night)" – Lionel Richie Bottom two
Kevin & Rebecca 24 (6, 6, 6, 6) Foxtrot "Livin' Thing" – Electric Light Orchestra Safe
Jack & Alex 37 (9, 9, 9, 10) Samba "The Cup of Life" – Ricky Martin Safe
Aishah & Robert 36 (8, 9, 9, 10) American Smooth "A Thousand Miles" – Vanessa Carlton Last to be called safe
Rhys & Laura 39 (9, 10, 10, 10) Contemporary Ballroom "Bittersweet Symphony" – The Verve Safe
Gearóid & Stephen 33 (8, 8, 9, 8) Charleston "Crazy in Love" – Emeli Sandé and The Bryan Ferry Orchestra Eliminated

Judges votes to save

  • Gourounlian: Danny & Salome
  • Byrne: Danny & Salome
  • Redmond: Danny & Salome
  • Barry: Did not vote, but would have voted for Danny & Salome

Week 9: Team Dance Week

[edit]

Running order

Dance chart

[edit]
  Highest scoring dance
  Lowest scoring dance
  No dance performed
  Not performed due to illness or injury
  Immune from elimination
Couple 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Aishah & Robert Quickstep Salsa Tango Cha-cha-cha Samba Charleston Paso Doble American Smooth
Danny & Salome Foxtrot Charleston Jive Paso Doble Cha-cha-cha Contemporary Ballroom Viennese Waltz Salsa
Jack & Alex Viennese Waltz Cha-cha-cha Jive Tango American Smooth Paso Doble Contemporary Ballroom Samba
Kayleigh & Ervinas Jive Viennese Waltz Cha-cha-cha Quickstep Contemporary Ballroom Samba Salsa Charleston
Kevin & Rebecca American Smooth Samba Quickstep Jive Tango Waltz Paso Doble Foxtrot
Rhys & Laura Salsa Tango Cha-cha-cha Charleston Jive Quickstep Rumba Contemporary Ballroom
Gearóid & Stephen Tango Cha-cha-cha Viennese Waltz American Smooth Paso Doble Contemporary Ballroom Quickstep Charleston
Yasmin & Simone Samba Foxtrot Charleston Contemporary Ballroom Rumba Salsa Jive
Joanna & Maciej Cha-cha-cha Waltz Samba Quickstep Tango Jive
Elaine & Denys Waltz Paso Doble Salsa Jive
Mickey Joe & Daniela Paso Doble Jive Foxtrot

References

[edit]
  1. ^ O'Neill, Bronwyn (30 August 2024). "RTÉ confirm Dancing with the Stars is set to return". VIP Magazine. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  2. ^ Townsend, Michelle (8 December 2024). "Karen Byrne joins Dancing with the Stars judging panel as show makes big change". RSVP Live. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  3. ^ Townsend, Michelle (16 December 2024). "DWTS couple quit show and explain why as four new stars join line-up". RSVP Live. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  4. ^ Townsend, Michelle (7 November 2024). "Dancing with the Stars couple welcome first child and share unique name". RSVP Live. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  5. ^ Townsend, Michelle (16 December 2024). "DWTS unveils dance pairings for 2025 as four new stars join show". RSVP Live. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  6. ^ Graham, Breda (9 December 2024). "First contestant of this year's Dancing with the Stars revealed". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  7. ^ "Met Éireann meteorologist Joanna Donnelly revealed as final celebrity contestant for Dancing with the Stars". Irish Independent. 15 December 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  8. ^ a b c "Dancing with the Stars: As it happened!". RTÉ. 5 January 2025.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g "Dancing with the Stars: All the action as it happened!". 2 February 2025.
  10. ^ "Loraine Barry to pull out of DWTS after her mother dies". 25 January 2025.
  11. ^ a b c d "Dancing with the Stars: All the action as it happened". 26 January 2025.
  12. ^ "Dancing with the Stars: All the action as it happened". 9 February 2025. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  13. ^ a b c "Eurovision fever hits Dancing with the Stars on Sunday". 5 February 2025.
  14. ^ a b "It's Love Week on Dancing with the Stars". 12 February 2025. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  15. ^ a b c d "Dancing with the Stars Orchestra Night - As it happened". 23 February 2025. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
[edit]