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
GenreReality competition
Created byFenia Vardanis
Richard Hopkins
Karen Smith
Presented byAmanda Byram
Nicky Byrne
Jennifer Zamparelli
Doireann Garrihy
JudgesLoraine Barry
Brian Redmond
Julian Benson
Arthur Gourounlian
Karen Byrne
Voices ofJack Boylan
Country of originIreland
Original languageEnglish
No. of series7
No. of episodes81
Production
Production locationArdmore Studios
Running time120 minutes (inc. adverts)
Production companyShinAwil
Original release
NetworkRTÉ One
Release8 January 2017 (2017-01-08) –
present
Related
Strictly Come Dancing
Dancing with the Stars (franchise)

Production

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In 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

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The 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

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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

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Professional dancers Average Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Series 5 Series 6 Series 7 Series 8
Robert Rowiński 23.06 Maïa Dunphy Cliona Hagan Glenda Gilson Brooke Scullion Eileen Dunne Aishah Akorede
Laura Nolan 19.77 Brian Dowling Matthew MacNabb Kevin McGahern Shane Quigley Murphy Rhys McClenaghan
Stephen Vincent 21.9 Yewande Biala Ellen Keane Dr. Marie Cassidy Rosanna Davison Gearóid Farrelly
Denys Samson 24.58 Erica-Cody Panti Bliss Laura Fox Elaine Crowley
Ervinas Merfeldas 20.78 Missy Keating Stephanie Roche Katja Mia Kayleigh Trappe
Salome Chachua 23.4 Jordan Conroy Paul Brogan David Whelan Danny O'Carroll
Simone Arena 26.8 Blu Hydrangea Yasmin Seky
Alex Vladimirov Jack Woolley
Daniela Roze Mickey Joe Harte
Maciej Zieba Joanna Donnelly
Rebecca Scott Kevin Dundon
Former professional dancers
Karen Byrne 19.49 Des Cahill Jake Carter Darren Kennedy Michael Carruth Nicolas Roche Shane Byrne Jason Smyth
Jillian Bromwich 12.67 Rory Cowan
Montel Hewson 19.75 Miriam Mullins
Kylee Vincent 18.47 Fr. Ray Kelly Neil Delamere Damian McGinty Davy Russell
Michael Danilczuk 25.6 Suzanne Jackson
John Nolan 20.96 Teresa Mannion Deirdre O'Kane Mairéad Ronan Mary Kennedy Gráinne Seoige Leah O’Rourke
Emily Barker 22.54 Hughie Maughan Rob Heffernan Johnny Ward Aidan Fogarty Aengus Mac Grianna Carl Mullan
Maurizio Benenato 19.25 Cathy Kelly
Hannah Kelly 16.75 Billy McGuinness
Pasquale La Rocca 26.13 Lottie Ryan Nina Carberry
Giulia Dotta 22.38 Des Bishop Tomás O'Leary Fred Cooke Ryan Andrews
Kai Widdrington 23.78 Katherine Lynch Anna Geary Demi Isaac Oviawe Gráinne Gallanagh
Ryan McShane 24.09 Denise McCormack Erin McGregor Eilish O'Carroll Sinéad O'Carroll
Ksenia Zsikhotska 19.84 Dayl Cronin Marty Morrissey Peter Stringer
Trent Whiddon 15.67 Holly Carpenter
Valeria Milova 20.48 Aidan O'Mahony Bernard O'Shea Denis Bastick
Vitali Kozmin 25.18 Aoibhín Garrihy Alannah Beirne Clelia Murphy
Curtis Pritchard 17.8 Thalia Heffernan Norah Casey
Sean Smullen 14.25 Dr. Eva Orsmond

Key:

  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

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The 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.

Dance Celebrity Highest score Celebrity Lowest score
Tango Denise McCormack 30 Bernard O'Shea 10
Cha-cha-cha Lottie Ryan
Erica-Cody
Brooke Scullion
30 Fr. Ray Kelly 6
Salsa Dayl Cronin
Denise McCormack
Anna Geary
David Whelan
30 Dr. Eva Orsmond
Billy McGuinness
Rory Cowan
13
Foxtrot Aoibhín Garrihy
Johnny Ward
28 Fr. Ray Kelly 8
Charleston Denise McCormack
Aoibhín Garrihy
Anna Geary
Jake Carter
Ryan Andrews
Gráinne Gallanagh
Nina Carberry
Ellen Keane
Erica-Cody
Laura Fox
Blu Hydrangea
30 Rory Cowan 11
Waltz Cliona Hagan 30 Aengus Mac Grianna 11
Quickstep Cliona Hagan
Lottie Ryan
Blu Hydrangea
30 Teresa Mannion
Marty Morrissey
12
Jive Johnny Ward
Laura Fox
David Whelan
30 Nicolas Roche
Matthew MacNabb
11
Rumba Suzanne Jackson 30 Gráinne Seoige 13
Paso Doble Nina Carberry
Ellen Keane
Jordan Conroy
Brooke Scullion
30 Fr. Ray Kelly 9
American Smooth Ryan Andrews 30 Leah O'Rourke 10
Contemporary Ballroom Aoibhín Garrihy
Jake Carter
Johnny Ward
Mairéad Ronan
Ryan Andrews
Jordan Conroy
Brooke Scullion
Damian McGinty
Blu Hydrangea
30 Billy McGuinness 17
Samba Suzanne Jackson
Blu Hydrangea
30 Michael Carruth
Aengus Mac Grianna
11
Viennese Waltz Mairéad Ronan
Gráinne Gallanagh
Nina Carberry
30 Fr. Ray Kelly 10
Showdance Aidan O'Mahony
Aoibhín Garrihy
Denise McCormack
Anna Geary
Mairéad Ronan
Jake Carter
Johnny Ward
Cliona Hagan
Jordan Conroy
Carl Mullan
Suzanne Jackson
Damian McGinty
Laura Fox
Jason Smyth
David Whelan
Blu Hydrangea
30 Deirdre O'Kane 27

Ranking of couples

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This table only counts for single dances scored on a traditional 30-points scale. It does not include the Team Dance or Marathon scores.

Ranking Season Place Celebrity Professional Total Average (/30)
1 1 2 Aoibhín Garrihy Vitali Kozmin 378 27.00
2 6 Brooke Scullion Robert Rowiński 323 26.91
4 1 Lottie Ryan Pasquale La Rocca 296
2 Ryan Andrews Giulia Dotta
5 1 Denise McCormack Ryan McShane 376 26.86
6 7 Blu Hydrangea Simone Arena 322 26.83
David Whelan Salome Chachua
8 5 Erica-Cody Denys Samson 316 26.33
9 2 1 Jake Carter Karen Byrne 365 26.07
10 5 Nina Carberry Pasquale La Rocca 312 26.00
11 2 Ellen Keane Stephen Vincent 311 25.92
12 3 Johnny Ward Emily Barker 362 25.86
13 6 Damian McGinty Kylee Vincent 310 25.83
14 5 Jordan Conroy Salome Chachua 307 25.58
6 Suzanne Jackson Michael Danilczuk
7 Laura Fox Denys Samson
17 1 4 Dayl Cronin Ksenia Zsikhotska 281 25.55
18 2 2 Anna Geary Kai Widdrington 355 25.36
19 3 1 Mairéad Ronan John Nolan 354 25.26
2 Cliona Hagan Robert Rowiński
21 2 4 Erin McGregor Ryan McShane 271 24.64
22 7 6 Katja Mia Ervinas Merfeldas 220 24.44
23 2 Alannah Beirne Vitali Kozmin 194 24.25
24 4 2 Gráinne Gallanagh Kai Widdrington 263 23.91
25 6 6 Panti Bliss Denys Samson 215 23.89
26 2 2 Deirdre O'Kane John Nolan 333 23.79
27 6 1 Carl Mullan Emily Barker 284 23.67
28 4 7 Sinéad O'Carroll Ryan McShane 163 23.29
29 2 Aidan Fogarty Emily Barker 251 22.82
30 3 5 Clelia Murphy Vitali Kozmin 204 22.67
31 7 7 Rosanna Davison Stephen Vincent 180 22.50
32 6 5 Kevin McGahern Laura Nolan 222 22.20
33 7 1 Jason Smyth Karen Byrne 266 22.17
34 1 8 Des Bishop Giulia Dotta 110 22.00
35 1 Aidan O'Mahony Valeria Milova 302 21.57
36 5 9 Missy Keating Ervinas Merfeldas 107 21.40
37 7 5 Davy Russell Kylee Vincent 207 20.70
38 9 Shane Quigley Murphy Laura Nolan 103 20.60
39 2 5 Rob Heffernan Emily Barker 179 19.89
40 1 6 Katherine Lynch Kai Widdrington 158 19.75
7 10 Miriam Mullins Montel Hewson 79
42 3 6 Denis Bastick Valeria Milova 157 19.63
43 4 Fred Cooke Giulia Dotta 209 19.00
1 10 Thalia Heffernan Curtis Pritchard 57
5 11 Neil Delamere Kylee Vincent
46 3 7 Peter Stringer Ksenia Zsikhotska 130 18.57
47 6 Shane Byrne Karen Byrne 148 18.50
48 9 Paul Brogan Salome Chachua 92 18.40
49 2 10 Tomás O'Leary Giulia Dotta 55 18.33
50 4 8 Brian Dowling Laura Nolan 109 18.20
51 5 5 Matthew MacNabb 181 18.10
52 6 8 Stephanie Roche Ervinas Merfeldas 122 17.43
53 5 6 Nicolas Roche Karen Byrne 139 17.38
54 8 Gráinne Seoige John Nolan 121 17.29
55 2 9 Maïa Dunphy Robert Rowiński 67 16.75
5 7 Billy McGuinness Hannah Kelly 134
57 4 10 Glenda Gilson Robert Rowiński 50 16.70
58 1 5 Des Cahill Karen Byrne 150 16.67
59 3 9 Darren Kennedy 66 16.50
60 4 6 Mary Kennedy John Nolan 131 16.38
61 7 8 Eileen Dunne Robert Rowiński 114 16.29
62 1 11 Hughie Maughan Emily Barker 32 16.00
2 Norah Casey Curtis Pritchard
64 6 10 Dr. Marie Cassidy Stephen Vincent 63 15.75
65 3 8 Demi Isaac Oviawe Kai Widdrington 94 15.67
10 Holly Carpenter Trent Whiddon
67 1 7 Teresa Mannion John Nolan 108 15.43
68 5 12 Cathy Kelly Maurizio Benenato 29 14.50
69 1 9 Dr. Eva Orsmond Sean Smullen 67 14.25
70 2 8 Bernard O'Shea Valeria Milova 14.17
71 4 11 Yewande Biala Stephen Vincent 28 14.00
72 5 10 Aengus Mac Grianna Emily Barker 55 13.75
73 3 11 Eilish O'Carroll Ryan McShane 27 13.50
74 2 7 Marty Morrissey Ksenia Zsikhotska 93 13.29
75 7 11 Rory Cowan Jillian Bromwich 38 12.67
76 4 9 Michael Carruth Karen Byrne 50 12.50
77 6 11 Leah O’Rourke John Nolan 35 11.67
78 4 5 Fr. Ray Kelly Kylee Vincent 104 11.56

Number of perfect scores

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The 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
  1. ^ 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

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Series Premiere date Finale date Number
of couples
Number
of weeks
Winners Runners-up
1 8 January 2017 26 March 2017 11 12 Aidan O'Mahony & Valeria Milova Aoibhín Garrihy & Vitali Kozmin
Denise McCormack & Ryan McShane
2 7 January 2018 25 March 2018 Jake Carter & Karen Byrne Anna Geary & Kai Widdrington
Deirdre O'Kane & John Nolan
3 6 January 2019 24 March 2019 Mairéad Ronan & John Nolan Johnny Ward & Emily Barker
Cliona Hagan & Robert Rowiński
4 5 January 2020 15 March 2020 11 Lottie Ryan & Pasquale La Rocca Ryan Andrews & Giulia Dotta
Gráinne Gallanagh & Kai Widdrington
Aidan Fogarty & Emily Barker
5 9 January 2022 27 March 2022 12 12 Nina Carberry & Pasquale La Rocca Jordan Conroy & Salome Chachua
Ellen Keane & Stephen Vincent
Erica-Cody & Denys Samson
6 8 January 2023 19 March 2023 11 11 Carl Mullan & Emily Barker Brooke Scullion & Robert Rowiński
Damian McGinty & Kylee Vincent
Suzanne Jackson & Michael Danilczuk
7 7 January 2024 17 March 2024 Jason Smyth & Karen Byrne Laura Fox & Denys Samson
David Whelan & Salome Chachua
Blu Hydrangea & Simone Arena
8 January 2025

Episodes

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Series 1 (2017)

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The first series of Dancing with the Stars started on 8 January 2017 and finished on 26 March 2017.

Series 2 (2018)

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The second series began on 7 January 2018 and finished on 25 March 2018.[18][19]

Series 3 (2019)

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The third series began on 6 January 2019 and finished on 24 March 2019.

Series 4 (2020)

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The fourth series began on 5 January 2020 and finished on 15 March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[20]

Series 5 (2022)

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The 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)

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The sixth series began on 8 January 2023 and ended on 19 March 2023.[23]

Series 7 (2024)

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In August 2023, it was confirmed that the series would return for a seventh season in January 2024.[24]

Series 8 (2025)

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The series will return in January 2025 for its eight series.

References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ a b Entertainment.ie (18 November 2016). "Irish 'Dancing with the Stars' have reportedly chosen their host".
  3. ^ a b "Dancing with the Stars to take centre stage on RTÉ One". RTÉ.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ a b c "RTÉ drops The Voice for Dancing with the Stars". RTÉ News. RTÉ. 3 August 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  7. ^ "Ardmore Studios | Sound Stages". ardmore-studios.
  8. ^ "The host of RTE's Dancing with the Stars has been CONFIRMED". 18 November 2016.
  9. ^ "Byram, Byrne 'so excited' to host Irish Dancing with the Stars". RTÉ. 7 December 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  10. ^ "Nicky Byrne and Amanda Byram confirm they're hosting Dancing With The Stars". Irish Independent. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  11. ^ "Amanda Byram".
  12. ^ "Dancing with the Stars line-up a mystery for new host". RTÉ News. 30 October 2018.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ Donohoe, Amy (25 August 2022). "Nicky Byrne quits RTE's Dancing With The Stars". DublinLive. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  16. ^ Murphy, Greg (7 October 2022). "Doireann Garrihy joins Jennifer Zamparelli as new host of Dancing with the Stars". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  17. ^ "Karen will now be a judge on new series of Dancing with the Stars". SundayWorld.com. 8 December 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  18. ^ "Dancing with the Stars cha chas to second series". RTÉ. 16 June 2017.
  19. ^ "Deirdre O'Kane to waltz her way onto DWTS in January". RTÉ. 3 December 2017.
  20. ^ "Break out the sequins!!!! We have exciting news for Dancing with the Stars fans". Extra.ie. 31 May 2019.
  21. ^ "Dancing with the Stars will not air in 2021". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. 22 July 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  22. ^ McNally, Tadgh (22 July 2020). "RTÉ has cancelled Dancing With the Stars due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  23. ^ Donohoe, Amy (25 August 2022). "Nicky Byrne quits RTE's Dancing With The Stars". DublinLive. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  24. ^ "Dancing With The Stars To Return Next Year Despite Cancellation Rumours". 29 August 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
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