It’s Dedicated Dance Week on Dancing with the Stars on Sunday night.
That means that no one will be evicted this week, to the delight of the contestants. But everything is still to play for as the couple with the highest combined points from the judges and public votes will earn immunity from the first Dance-Off of the series the following week.
Instead, the week will be all about showing love to their nearest and dearest.
Here’s what they’ll be dancing to this week…
Eric Roberts and Arianna Favaro
Ireland AM presenter Eric Roberts will dedicate his dance to his nephew Oisín, who has cerebral palsy and autism and often features on Eric’s social media.
Oisín is a significant inspiration for Eric, who shares their adventures and celebrates his nephew’s unique personality, promoting understanding of disabilities. Eric will dance a Tango with partner Arianna Favaro to Coldplay’s ‘Clocks’. Coldplay is Eric and Oisín’s favourite band, and they have seen them in concert together.
Niamh Kavanagh and Stephen Vincent
Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh will pay special tribute to her nephew Daniel who passed away in 2024 at the age of 23. Daniel was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2020.
During the next three years, Niamh says “he embraced his life with dignity and beauty in a way I can’t even begin to comprehend. He ran a marathon to raise money for the Brain Tumour foundation. He undertook his treatments with such grace”. Niamh and her partner Stephen Vincent will dance an American Smooth to ‘Daniel’ by Elton John.
Katelyn Cummins and Leonardo Lini
Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins will dedicate her dance to her parents, Noel and Siobhan. She and partner Leonardo Lini will perform Contemporary Ballroom to ‘Never Enough’ by Kelly Clarkson.
The emotional routine will honour her parents’ unwavering support throughout her life, particularly with challenges she faced growing up with a hearing impairment.
Paudie Moloney and Laura Nolan
The Traitors Ireland star Paudie Moloney has ten very special dedications this week. He will be honouring his ten grandchildren, who range from 21-year-old hurler Shane to four-month-old newborn Oisín.
Paudie will be giving a nod to his former life as a prison guard with a Jive with his pro partner Laura Nolan to The Blues Brothers version of ‘Jailhouse Rock’.
Tolü Makay and Maciej Zięba
Tolü will be keeping her routine in the family as she is dedicating her dance to her sister Timmy.
Tolü and Timmy are not just sisters but best friends. Tolü and partner Maciej will dance Foxtrot to ‘When We Were Young’ by Adele.
Stephanie Kelly and Ervinas Merfeldas
Stephanie will give a very special shout-out to her son Zach as she dances Paso Doble with partner Ervinas Merfeldas to Kygo’s ‘Firestone’.
Now age 12, Zach has been Stephanie’s best friend since the day he was born and even walked her down the aisle to an acoustic version of ‘Firestone’.
Anne Cassin and Robert Rowiński
Nationwide presenter Anne Cassin will honour her dear mother Nancy, who passed away just weeks after she gave birth to her first child.
Anne and her partner Robert Rowiński will dance an American Smooth to ‘Don’t Stop’ by Fleetwood Mac, a song that brings her back to her childhood.
Jordan Dargan and Rebecca Scott
The Apprentice UK star Jordan Dargan and Olympic rower Philip Doyle will also honour their mothers this week.
In a dedicated dance to his mam Ruth, Jordan and partner Rebecca Scott will dance an American Smooth to Christy Moore’s ‘The Voyage’, which reminds Jordan of his late grandmother.
Philip Doyle and Daniela Roze
Philip will also dedicate his dance to his mother, Una.
He and partner Daniela Roze will dance a Samba to ‘Dancing Queen’ by Abba, which links to the story of how Una and her husband Eamonn, Philip’s dad, who has passed away, sneaked into an ABBA concert in their youth.
This special episode will honour former judge Julian Benson, who passed away in April last year. Viewers will hear from former presenter Nicky Byrne and former Head Judge Lorraine Barry, as well as current presenter Jennifer Zamparelli and judges Brian Redmond, Karen Byrne, and Arthur Gourounlian, who will share memories of their dear friend and colleague.
The professional dancers will also honour the man endearingly named ‘Captain Sparkle’ with an emotional performance to ‘Last Dance’ by Donna Summer.
