Dancing with the Stars (Irish TV series)
Dancing with the Stars is an Irish reality television series, airing on RTÉ One, that started on 8 January 2017.[1] It is currently hosted by Jennifer Zamparelli and Doireann Garrihy.[2] The show is based on the original UK version, Strictly Come Dancing, and is part of the Dancing with the Stars franchise.[3] The judging panel currently consists of Arthur Gourounlian, Loraine Barry, Karen Byrne and Brian Redmond.[4][5]
| Dancing with the Stars | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Reality competition |
| Created by | Fenia Vardanis Richard Hopkins Karen Smith |
| Presented by | Amanda Byram Nicky Byrne Jennifer Zamparelli Doireann Garrihy |
| Judges | Loraine Barry Brian Redmond Julian Benson Arthur Gourounlian Karen Byrne |
| Voices of | Jack Boylan |
| Country of origin | Ireland |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 7 |
| No. of episodes | 81 |
| Production | |
| Production location | Ardmore Studios |
| Running time | 120 minutes (inc. adverts) |
| Production company | ShinAwil |
| Original release | |
| Network | RTÉ One |
| Release | 8 January 2017 – present |
| Related | |
| Strictly Come Dancing Dancing with the Stars (franchise) | |
Production
editIn August 2016, it was confirmed that RTÉ One would broadcast an Irish version of Dancing with the Stars, which would replace the successful The Voice of Ireland, which was cancelled in order for the broadcaster to order the new show.[6] A producer of the show commented, "We've got fantastic production people in Ireland who, I believe, deliver a show that's comparable with any of those shows on a fraction of the budget. So we're looking forward to the task of doing this equally the same way."[6]
It became quickly apparent that the 6,525 sq ft (606.2 m2) television studios at RTÉ Television Centre in Dublin were too small for the large scale production of Dancing with the Stars. Therefore the production has been based in Ardmore Studios in County Wicklow, whose largest studio is 15,000 sq ft (1,400 m2).[7]
Format
editThe format of the series follows celebrities being paired up with professional dancers, who perform predetermined dances each week for judges' scores and public votes, with the couple with the lowest number of points being eliminated, until the winning couple remains.[3]
Judges and hosts
edit| Series | Host | Judges | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 1 | Amanda Byram | Nicky Byrne | Brian Redmond | Loraine Barry | Julian Benson | N/A |
| 2 | ||||||
| 3 | Jennifer Zamparelli | |||||
| 4 | ||||||
| 5 | Arthur Gourounlian | |||||
| 6 | Doireann Garrihy | |||||
| 7 | ||||||
| 8 | Karen Byrne | |||||
On 18 December 2016, RTÉ confirmed that Julian Benson, Loraine Barry and Brian Redmond would be the judges on the programme.[4][5] The show’s creative director, Darren Bennett, stood in for Benson at various points throughout Benson’s time on the show when he was absent due to illness.
People in the running to be host of the show included former Westlife musician and 2012 Strictly Come Dancing contestant Nicky Byrne; as well as popular radio host Ray D'Arcy, though D'Arcy ruled himself out of the running in August 2016.[6] In October 2016, it was reported that Marty Whelan had auditioned to host the show. In November, it was reported that Amanda Byram had been selected as one of the hosts.[2][8] In December, it was confirmed that Byrne would host alongside Byram.[9] It was also confirmed that Bláthnaid Treacy would be hosting RTÉ Two spin-off show, Can't Stop Dancing, airing on Friday nights before the live shows.[10]
On 28 August 2018, after two series, Amanda Byram confirmed that she would not be returning as a presenter in 2019.[11] On 30 October 2018, Jennifer Zamparelli was confirmed as Byram's replacement.[12]
On 12 November 2021, it was announced that the series would return after one-year hiatus following the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosts, Zamaparelli and Byrne were slated to return alongside judges, Barry and Redmond. Julian Benson would not return for the fifth series, being replaced by choreographer and creative director, Arthur Gourounlian.[13][14]
On 25 August 2022, Nicky Byrne announced that he would be stepping away from hosting duties after five seasons to focus on Westlife touring commitments.[15] On 7 October 2022, it was announced that Doireann Garrihy would take over from Byrne as co-host for the sixth season alongside Zamparelli.[16]
On 8 December 2024, it was announced that two-time champion, and the series' only professional dancer to take part in all of the previous seven seasons, Karen Byrne would join the judging panel. Season 8 would, therefore, become the first edition to feature four judges rather than it's usual three.[17]
Professional dancers and their partners
editKey:
- Winner of the series
- Finalist (2nd/3rd/4th place)
- First elimination of the series
- Participating in current series
- Week 7 of Series 1 and Week 6 of Series 2, 3 and 4 was 'Switch-Up Week' in which the celebrities danced with different pros for one week only. The table above reflects this as it excludes each pro's regular celebrity partner's Switch-Up Week score and includes their Switch-Up Week partner's score.
- Series 5 saw Ervinas Merfeldas step in for Denys Samson and Stephen Vincent for Weeks 9 and 10 respectively, and Emily Barker step in for Salome Chachua in Week 10, due to illness. The scores are reflected in the tables above and added to the stand-in professionals totals.
- Series 6 saw Maurizio Benenato originally partner, Brooke Scullion. However, in the third week of the competition, Benenato left due to unforeseen circumstances and was replaced with Robert Rowiński. The scores are reflected in the table above with Benenato accounting for Scullion's first two scores and Rowiński accounting for Week 3's scores onwards.
Overall highest and lowest scoring performances
editThe best and worst performances over each series in each dance according to the judges' scale are as follows. Team Dances and Marathons are not on this list.
Ranking of couples
editThis table only counts for single dances scored on a traditional 30-points scale. It does not include the Team Dance or Marathon scores.
Number of perfect scores
editThe scores presented below represent the perfect scores which the celebrities gained in their original season. Perfect scores awarded in Team Dances are not included within this table.
| # of 30s | Season | Place | Celebrity | Professional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 7 | 2nd | Blu Hydrangea | Simone Arena |
| 4 | 1 5 |
2nd 1st |
Denise McCormack Nina Carberry |
Ryan McShane Pasquale La Rocca |
| 3 | 1 2 2 3 3 3 4 5 6 6 7 7 |
2nd 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd |
Aoibhín Garrihy Jake Carter Anna Geary Mairéad Ronan Johnny Ward Cliona Hagan Ryan Andrews Jordan Conroy Brooke Scullion Suzanne Jackson Laura Fox David Whelan |
Vitali Kozmin Karen Byrne Kai Widdrington John Nolan Emily Barker Robert Rowiński Giulia Dotta Salome Chachua Robert Rowiński Michael Danilczuk Denys Samson Salome Chachua |
| 2 | 4 4 5 5 6 |
1st 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd |
Lottie Ryan Gráinne Gallanagh Ellen Keane Erica-Cody Damian McGinty |
Pasquale La Rocca Kai Widdrington Stephen Vincent Denys Samson Kylee Vincent |
| 1 | 1 1 6 7 |
1st 4th 1st 1st |
Aidan O'Mahony Dayl Cronin Carl Mullan Jason Smyth |
Valeria Milova Valeria Milova[a] Emily Barker Karen Byrne |
- ^ Dayl Cronin's only perfect score came in Switch-Up Week when he was partnered with Valeria Milova and not his regular partner, Ksenia Zsikhotska.
By Professional:
| Number of perfect scores | Professional |
|---|---|
| 6 | Pasquale La Rocca Robert Rowiński Salome Chachua |
| 5 | Kai Widdrington Denys Samson Simone Arena |
| 4 | Ryan McShane Emily Barker Karen Byrne |
| 3 | Vitali Kozmin John Nolan Giulia Dotta Michael Danilczuk |
| 2 | Valeria Milova Stephen Vincent Kylee Vincent |
Series overview
editEpisodes
editSeries 1 (2017)
editThe first series of Dancing with the Stars started on 8 January 2017 and finished on 26 March 2017.
Series 2 (2018)
editThe second series began on 7 January 2018 and finished on 25 March 2018.[18][19]
Series 3 (2019)
editThe third series began on 6 January 2019 and finished on 24 March 2019.
Series 4 (2020)
editThe fourth series began on 5 January 2020 and finished on 15 March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[20]
Series 5 (2022)
editThe fifth series was postponed in late July 2020 due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.[21][22] The series returned on 9 January 2022 and ended on 27 March 2022.
Series 6 (2023)
editThe sixth series began on 8 January 2023 and ended on 19 March 2023.[23]
Series 7 (2024)
editIn August 2023, it was confirmed that the series would return for a seventh season in January 2024.[24]
Series 8 (2025)
editThe series will return in January 2025 for its eight series.
References
edit- ^ Curran, Sarah (21 October 2016). "Marty Whelan Auditions to Host Dancing with the Stars!". RSVP Magazine. Archived from the original on 5 November 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
- ^ a b Entertainment.ie (18 November 2016). "Irish 'Dancing with the Stars' have reportedly chosen their host".
- ^ a b "Dancing with the Stars to take centre stage on RTÉ One". RTÉ.
- ^ a b O'Donnell, Áine (18 December 2016). "The judges for Dancing With The Stars have been REVEALED - Goss". goss.ie. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
- ^ a b RTE One [@RTEOne] (18 December 2016). "// Meet the Judges // We can finally introduce you to our #DWTSIrl judges - Julian Benson, Brian Redmond & Loraine…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c "RTÉ drops The Voice for Dancing with the Stars". RTÉ News. RTÉ. 3 August 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
- ^ "Ardmore Studios | Sound Stages". ardmore-studios.
- ^ "The host of RTE's Dancing with the Stars has been CONFIRMED". 18 November 2016.
- ^ "Byram, Byrne 'so excited' to host Irish Dancing with the Stars". RTÉ. 7 December 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
- ^ "Nicky Byrne and Amanda Byram confirm they're hosting Dancing With The Stars". Irish Independent. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
- ^ "Amanda Byram".
- ^ "Dancing with the Stars line-up a mystery for new host". RTÉ News. 30 October 2018.
- ^ Delaney, Caroline (12 November 2021). "Dancing with the Stars is back in January — and who's the new judge?". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ Townsend, Michelle (12 November 2021). "RTE confirm Dancing with the Stars will be back for brand new series in January". RSVP Live. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ Donohoe, Amy (25 August 2022). "Nicky Byrne quits RTE's Dancing With The Stars". DublinLive. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- ^ Murphy, Greg (7 October 2022). "Doireann Garrihy joins Jennifer Zamparelli as new host of Dancing with the Stars". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
- ^ "Karen will now be a judge on new series of Dancing with the Stars". SundayWorld.com. 8 December 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
- ^ "Dancing with the Stars cha chas to second series". RTÉ. 16 June 2017.
- ^ "Deirdre O'Kane to waltz her way onto DWTS in January". RTÉ. 3 December 2017.
- ^ "Break out the sequins!!!! We have exciting news for Dancing with the Stars fans". Extra.ie. 31 May 2019.
- ^ "Dancing with the Stars will not air in 2021". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. 22 July 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
- ^ McNally, Tadgh (22 July 2020). "RTÉ has cancelled Dancing With the Stars due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
- ^ Donohoe, Amy (25 August 2022). "Nicky Byrne quits RTE's Dancing With The Stars". DublinLive. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
- ^ "Dancing With The Stars To Return Next Year Despite Cancellation Rumours". 29 August 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.