The ninth season of Dancing with the Stars is off to a great start, with plenty of glitz and glamour in store over the coming weeks
21:27, 04 Jan 2026Updated 21:31, 04 Jan 2026
Traitors Contestant Paudie Moloney with Pro Dancer Laura Nolan during the live show(Image: Kyran OBrien /kobpix)
It’s that time again! The beginning of a new year signals the start of a new season of Dancing with the Stars and as many are dreading going back to work in the morning, the dread may have been eased by the return of the popular RTE dance show.
The ninth season of Dancing with the Stars kicked off in style, RSVP reports, with a couple of changes in store for viewers as new head judge Oti Mabuse made her debut and Laura Fox stepped in as host, covering for new mum Doireann Garrihy, alongside regular presenter Jennifer Zamparelli.
After night one, where there was no elimination to allow contestants to find their feet, it was Katelyn Cummins who found herself atop the leaderboard with an impressive score of 31 on the judges’ scorecards. Meanwhile, Traitors Ireland star Paudie Moloney finds himself at the less-enviable end of proceedings as he is in last place, with a score of 13.
Sunday night’s show kicked into gear with a dazzling number as celebs, pro dancers, presenters and judges got involved in a rendition of We Are Family by Cedric Gervais x Nile Rodgers.
Judge Oti Mabuse during the live show of RTEs Dancing With The Stars
The first dance saw Eurovision star Niamh Kavanagh and partner Stephen Vincent salsa their way to a score of 17 to the catchy tune that is 1-2-3, by Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine.
New judge Oti said: “For your first week, fantastic.”
Brian added: “Some of the actions were a little bit mumbled.”
Eurovision Winner Niamh Kavanagh with Pro Dancer Stephen Vincent during the live show of RTEs Dancing With The Stars(Image: Kyran OBrien /kobpix)
Olympian Philip Doyle and pro partner Daniela Roze were next up and they danced a waltz to Love is On the Way by Billy Porter, which earned them a score of 22.
Arthur said: “I’m actually impressed for your first dance. Your body fluidity was incredible.”
“You didn’t make the usual ballroom blunder of being stiff,” said Brian.
Podcaster Amber Wilson and Alex Vladimirov embraced their history-making partnership as the first same-sex female pairing on the show as they danced to Woman’s World by Katy Perry with a fabulous cha cha cha. Judges could see Amber’s nerves during the performance, but the pair walked away with a score of 14.
Karen said: “I can feel your nerves.”
“I feel like there’s a lot of self-doubt and lack of confidence,” said Oti.
Stand-up comedian and online personality Michael Fry was next up with pro dancer Kylee Vincent, who danced the quickstep to Goodbye Mr. A by The Hoosiers, which got a mixed reaction as they took home a score of 21.
Comedian Michael Fry Pro Dancer Kylee Vincent during the live show of RTEs Dancing With The Stars.(Image: Kyran OBrien /kobpix)
Arthur said: “It got a little bit clumpy and heavy.”
“It was only occasionally, slightly off,” said Brian.
Nationwide’s Anne Cassin and Robert Rowiński were next to the dancefloor, as they impressed the audience with a theatrical foxtrot to I Wanna Be Loved By You by the iconic Sinéad O’Connor. Anne clearly had a ball during her performance and judges could tell, with her receiving a fantastic score of 23.
Oti said: “Honestly I loved it, but I’d have loved for you to concentrate on the details.”
“Anne you brought the glam to the ballroom tonight,” gushed Karen.
RTE Nationwide Presenter Anne Cassin with Pro Dancer Robert Rowinski during the live show of RTEs Dancing With The Stars(Image: Kyran OBrien /kobpix)
Jordan Dargan was next up and he danced the salsa with pro partner Rebecca Scott to Desire by Years and Years. He gave the performance his all and even performed three lifts with Rebecca, leaving the audience and judges impressed. They received a fantastic score of 28.
Arthur said: “Was it perfect? Not yet, but I know you’re going to rise and rise.”
“The Apprentice might become the master,” quipped Brian.
Singer-songwriter Brian Kennedy and James Cutler were next, as they took on a Viennese waltz to Piano Man by Billy Joel. With a nod to his career as a musician, the dance left the audience and the judges happy. They got a score of 23.
“Brian there’s something about you that when I watch you dance, it gives me chills,” said Karen.
Arthur said: “I love this partnership.”
Musician Tolü Makay and her partner Maciej Zięba danced the samba to Hello by Sigala x Leigh-Anne x Jonita Gandhi. They lit up the dancefloor with the upbeat number and walked away with a score of 27.
Oti said: “With a little bit of technique, yasss!”
“When the tempo is fast you struggle a little bit,” critiqued Brian.
Fair City Actress Stephanie Kelly with Pro Dancer Ervins Merfeldas during the live show of RTEs Dancing With The Stars(Image: Kyran OBrien /kobpix)
Next to the dancefloor were Fair City’s Stephanie Kelly and Ervinas Merfeldas, as they performed the American smooth to Please Please Please by Sabrina Carpenter. Stephanie looked like she thoroughly enjoyed her time on the dancefloor and the pair received a score of 19.
Arthur said: “I absolutely loved that… don’t be shy, act and dance.”
“That was a lovely cute take on an American smooth,” said Karen.
Ireland AM presenter Eric Roberts was the 10th performer of the night with his pro Arianna Favaro. They jived to Shake a Tail Feather by The Blues Brothers and Ray Charles. He got the audience and the judges excited with his moves and got an impressive score of 29.
“You’ve shown off your key skills, learn some new ones because from what I saw, you can,” said Brian.
Ireland AM Host Eric Roberts with Pro Dancer Arianna Favaro (Image: Kyran OBrien /kobpix)
Oti gushed: “If this is your week one… oh my God!”
The bookends of the leaderboard were saved for last as Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins and her partner Leonardo Lini did the tango to one of the biggest songs of the year, Fate of Ophelia by Taylor Swift. It was clear the pair had put the work in thanks to their show-stopping performance, which left them with a score of 31.
Brian said: “That was so good, I just wonder can you keep it up.”
“Pen drop, mic drop, unbelievable, well done,” said Karen.
Last up was one of the most anticipated competitors as Traitors Ireland star Paudie Moloney danced the cha cha cha with partner Laura Nolan to A Little Less Conversation by Elvis vs. JXL. He was Faithful to the dancefloor as he did his best and smiled the whole time. Paudie and Laura received a score of 13.
Karen: “I’m not going to lie, you’re right up my alley.”
“It was cheeky, it was spicy but I think you’re a little bit of a dark horse,” said Oti.
The glitz, glamour, and nail-biting competition will continue on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player next Sunday, January 11 at 6:30pm.
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