Dedicated Dance Week lived up to its billing on Sunday’s Dancing with the Stars, full of memories, tears, and smiles as the celebrities honoured the people who have made an impact on their lives.

Because it was such a personal show, no contestant was eliminated this week.

On the night, when the judges’ scores and viewers’ votes were combined, Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins and her professional dance partner Leonardo Lini earned immunity for next week’s show.

They had received the second-highest score of the night, 35, for their Contemporary Ballroom performance.

The Apprentice UK star Jordan Dargan and his professional dance partner Rebecca Scott topped the leaderboard with 39 points – including the first 10s of the series so far – with their American Smooth.


Jordan Dargan and Rebecca Scott

The show also honoured former Dancing with the Stars judge Julian Benson, who passed away in April last year.

Former presenter Nicky Byrne and former Head Judge Loraine Barry, as well as current presenter Jennifer Zamparelli and judges Brian Redmond, Karen Byrne, and Arthur Gourounlian, shared memories of their dear friend and colleague.


The late Julian Benson

The tribute concluded with a beautiful performance by the show’s professional dancers to Last Dance by Donna Summer.

Attention now turns to Fright Night next Sunday – and the first dance-off of the current series.

Katelyn Cummins and Leonardo Lini on Week Five of Dancing with the Stars Photo: Kyran O'Brien
Katelyn Cummins and Leonardo Lini celebrate on Sunday night

Dancing with the Stars, Sundays, RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, 6:30pm

The Story of the Night:

Tolü Makay and Maciej Zięba

The first couple of the night were singer-songwriter Tolü Makay and her professional dance partner Maciej Zięba, dancing a Foxtrot to When We Were Young by Adele, which was dedicated to Tolü’s sister Timmy.

Oti Mabuse said she was “so excited” after the performance and it was so moving. “A great start to the show,” she concluded.

Arthur Gourounlian said it was “mesmerising” and filled with joy. “Thank you for bringing the magic to the dancefloor,” he said.

Tolü Makay and Maciej Zięba on Week Five of Dancing with the Stars Photo: Kyran O'Brien

Brian Redmond said the choreography was “very clever” with its “youthful feel”. Brian said Tolü was better in hold than out of hold.

Karen Byrne said: “What an opener.” She was amazed by the flexibility in Tolü’s spine and wished she had it. “Well done,” she said.

32 points for Tolü and Maciej

Philip Doyle and Daniela Roze

Next up were Olympic rower Philip Doyle and his pro partner Daniela Roze, dancing a Samba to ABBA’s Dancing Queen, which was dedicated to Philip’s mother Una.

Arthur Gourounlian said it was filled with “joy”, “freedom”, and “heart”. He said Philip “danced like no-one was watching” but must work on his technicality.

Brian Redmond thought Philip danced to the wrong song – he thought it should have been SOS because “the Samba needed so much rescuing!”

Philip Doyle and Daniela Roze on Week Five of Dancing with the Stars Photo: Kyran O'Brien

Karen Byrne saluted Philip’s ability to make what he does wrong look so right! She said some Samba parts were “dodgy” and some were “really good”. “I don’t know why I enjoyed it so much,” she added.

Oti Mabuse said it needed a lot more bounce and hip action, but it was full of joy and energetic. She said Philip will come back stronger next week.

19 points for Philip and Daniela

Stephanie Kelly and Ervinas Merfeldas

The third couple of the night were Fair City star Stephanie Kelly and her pro partner Ervinas Merfeldas, dancing a Paso Doble to Firestone (Glewil remix) by Kygo feat Conrad, which was dedicated to Stephanie’s eldest son, Zach.

Brian Redmond said it started with “amazing intent”. It became a “little bit loose”, but he said Stephanie recovered strongly. “Well done,” he added.

Karen Byrne said it had “a powerful opening”. She saluted Stephanie as “a fighter”.

Stephanie Kelly and Ervinas Merfeldas on Week Five of Dancing with the Stars Photo: Kyran O'Brien

Oti Mabuse said “everything came together” for Stephanie on the night. She told Stephanie to strengthen her spine.

Arthur Gourounlian said Stephanie made her son “very proud”. “I have one word for you,” he concluded. “Olé!”

30 points for Stephanie and Ervinas

Katelyn Cummins and Leonardo Lini

The fourth couple to perform were Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins and her pro partner Leonardo Lini, dancing a Contemporary Ballroom to Kelly Clarkson’s Never Enough, which was dedicated to Katelyn’s parents, Noel and Siobhan.

Karen Byrne said: “Woh!” She said it so engrossing and emotional. “The level of difficulty was insane. I honestly have chills,” she told Katelyn.

Oti Mabuse called it “the comeback of the year” and “a brilliant dance”. “I think you’re an absolute inspiration,” she added.

Arthur Gourounlian said it was “fabulous” and “mesmerising”. “I could watch you again and again and again and again!” he said.

Brian Redmond said the “connection” between Katelyn and Leonardo is superb. “You’re always more than enough. Well done,” he concluded.

35 points for Katelyn and Leonardo

Anne Cassin and Robert Rowiński

The fifth couple on Sunday’s show were Nationwide presenter Anne Cassin and her pro partner Robert Rowiński, dancing an American Smooth to Fleetwood Mac’s Don’t Stop, in honour of Anne’s mother Nancy.

Oti Mabuse said it was “such a beautiful dance”. She told Anne to help Robert in the lifts and to remember the transitions in future.

Arthur Gourounlian said the lifts were “satisfying for him”. “It was so colourful; it was truly something special,” he added.

Anne Cassin and Robert Rowiński on Week Five of Dancing with the Stars Photo: Kyran O'Brien

Brian Redmond said it was obvious how much the dance meant to Anne and she dealt with the pressure “so, so, well”. He agreed with Oti on the lifts and transitions.

Karen Byrne said there was “such a lovely flow” to the performance. “Your mam would be so proud of you,” she said. “It was an elegant dance – just as I would describe you.”

25 points for Anne and Robert

Eric Roberts and Arianna Favaro

The sixth couple on Sunday were Ireland AM presenter Eric Roberts and pro dancer Arianna Favaro, dancing a Tango to Coldplay’s Clocks, which was dedicated to Eric’s nephew Oisín.

Arthur Gourounlian said it was “so deeply emotional” and passionate. “You are one incredible uncle!” he enthused.

Brian Redmond loved “the clever use of the arm movement” and excellent posture. “You have gone up a level tonight,” he said. He told Eric to “breathe a little” more.

Eric Roberts and Arianna Favaro on Week Five of Dancing with the Stars Photo: Kyran O'Brien

Karen Byrne loved the dance. “From the beginning to the end, it was so cool, so slick,” she said. “I just wanted more,” she added.

Oti Mabuse said it was the first time Eric had given her goosebumps. She told Eric to watch his top line but the performance had “everything and his mother” in it.

34 points for Eric and Ariana

Jordan Dargan and Rebecca Scott

The seventh couple of the night were The Apprentice UK star Jordan Dargan and his pro dance partner Rebecca Scott, dancing an American Smooth to Christy Moore’s The Voyage, which was dedicated to Jordan’s mam Ruth.

Brian Redmond said it was “such a brave choice” using The Voyage. He said Jordan’s commitment to storytelling was superb. “Pretty good!” he added by way of understatement.

Karen Byrne called Jordan “the gift that keeps on giving” in his partnership with Rebecca. “Your improvement is insane,” she added.

Jordan Dargan and Rebecca Scott on Week Five of Dancing with the Stars Photo: Kyran O'Brien

Oti Mabuse said it was “fast”, “soft”, and “elegant”. She said it took her away to another place.

Arthur Gourounlian said Jordan had “no fear”. “It was absolutely breath-taking,” he added.

39 points for Jordan and Rebecca

Niamh Kavanagh and Stephen Vincent

The eighth couple on Sunday’s show were Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh and her pro partner Stephen Vincent, dancing a Foxtrot to Elton John’s Daniel, which was in memory of Niamh’s nephew Daniel.

Karen Byrne said it was “absolutely gorgeous”. She saluted the emotion and Niamh’s frame and footwork. “That was your best dance yet,” she said.

Oti Mabuse said it was “the Niamh I have been waiting for”. She said it was very strong technically and Niamh “let the emotion tell the story”. “I am so proud of you,” she concluded.

Arthur Gourounlian said Niamh had made him “proud beyond belief”. “I’m thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he said.

Brian Redmond said it was “a masterclass” in the expression of emotion. “Yes, a little bit more space in the frame, but on a personal level, like so many at home, I just wanted to also say thank you. Thank you for remembering the Daniels that exist in all our lives,” he concluded.

30 points for Niamh and Stephen

Paudie Moloney and Laura Nolan

The final couple on Sunday’s show were The Traitors Ireland star Paudie Moloney and his pro partner Laura Nolan, dancing a Jive to Elvis Presley’s Jailhouse Rock, which was dedicated to Paudie’s ten grandchildren.

Oti Mabuse called Paudie “the king of entertainment”, but the kicks and flicks “weren’t happening” and there were problems with the timing. She saluted Paudie as a fighter and told him to come back fighting.

Arthur Gourounlian said it “didn’t have the Paudie energy that I needed”.

Paudie Moloney and Laura Nolan on Week Five of Dancing with the Stars Photo: Kyran O'Brien

Brian Redmond said it was “pretty flat throughout”. He said if Paudie hadn’t played the prison guard in the dance, he would have been in jail for “crimes against dance”!

Karen Byrne said although it “lacked the bounce and the retraction we like to see in the Jive”, Paudie wouldn’t need immunity because the votes of his “hundred grandchildren” would see him through to the final!

11 points for Paudie and Laura

Dancing with the Stars, Sundays, RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, 6:30pm

Click here for more television news.