And just like that, another year of Dancing with the Stars has come to an end, and what a fantastic season it was to watch! After the 2020 show was sadly cut short due to the pandemic, and the 2021 season couldn’t take place at all, we have certainly been missing the show and we were delighted to have it back on our screens!
Last night’s final really pulled out all the stops when it came to the glitz and glamour, and our finalists did not disappoint with their fantastic performances on the night!
Ultimately it was Irish jockey Nina Carberry and previous DWTS winner, Pasquale La Rocca who took home the glitterball trophy on the night and we are delighted for our 2022 DWTS winners!
Here’s everything that happened last night….
Of course our hosts for the season looked as fabulous as ever, as Jennifer Zamparelli wowed in a shimmering bodycon dress, and co-host Nicky Byrne looked incredibly handsome in a burgundy velvet suit jacket.
They introduced our judges for one final time, as Arthur Gourounlian, Brian Redmond, and Loraine Barry also kept us entertained as they performed themselves this week.
To open the show, the judges joined the pro-dancers for a performance to Westlife’s ‘Starlight’ before our contestants began their final week. Each of the finalists performed their ‘judges choice’ number first, which was a favourite dance from earlier in the season.
The first of the contestants to hit the dance floor was Paralympian Ellen Keane and pro-dancer, Stephen Vincent. The pair performed a paso doble to Beyonce’s ‘Run the World’ which was a huge success for them before and scored a 30 from the judges.
Loraine said; “You said you wanted to be fierce, this was on point tonight. Terrific paso doble. Beyonce style. I really feel thought you executed this to perfection.”
Arthur added; “Last time, this was a 10 from me. Tonight, it was even better. Can I get a paddle with 11? Powerful element in this dance – I’m here and I’m a contender for trophy.”
Next up was Irish jockey Nina Carberry and her partner, Pasquale La Rocca. They danced a Viennese waltz to ‘At Last’ which also scored them an incredible 30 from the judges!
Brian loved their performance saying; “The big question, can you improve on perfection? The answer is ‘yes, you can!”
Loraine added; “Powerful performance, it amazes me how you guys perfected the already perfect Viennese waltz.”
Singer Erica Cody and Denys Samson were out on the floor performing a charleston to ‘When We’re Human (from the Princes and the Frog.) Their energetic performance scored them a 30 from the judges.
Brian commented; “I enjoyed every single moment of that – a charleston masterclass.”
Arthur added; “I know how much this performance meant to you because it was all about visibility. Excellent work.”
Last of the four contestants to hit the dancefloor was rugby star Jordan Conroy and pro-dancer, Salome. They performed a paso doble to ‘Paint it Black’ which also scored them a 30 from judges!
Loraine raved about their performance; “I don’t think I would ever tire of watching that. I feel this dance totally sums you up Jordan. Intense and a smouldering fire-like energy. A passion which gives softness.You nailed the spin as well. Outstanding.”
Arthur added; “We wanted you to turn the three 9’s into 10’s We wanted you to work on the cape work and spins. You have to be so precise. Salome, I want to salute you on the choreography”.
Of course, that was not all on the night as next the finalists had a second performance which was their showdances!
Ellen Keane and Stephen Vincent were first out again, and their final dance on the show was a contemporary ballroom to The Shires, ‘I See Stars’ which scored them a 29 from the judges.
Loraine said; “The music was all about the stars and I see two stars in front of me here,” Loraine told them following the dance. “It was perfection”.
Nina and Pasquale were up next as they danced to ‘If They Could See Me Now’ with Nina’s name in lights behind them. Their incredible performance won them a standing ovation from the judges as they also scored a 29.
Brian said; “Nina, it’s not just your friends who can see you now, it is the whole nation.”
Erica and Denys danced their final performance on top of a huge gold glitterball to an emotion-filled performance to Sigma’s ‘Glitterball’ earning them a 28 from the judges.
Arthur said; “I wouldn’t be surprised after this if you are on Broadway.”
Finally, Jordan and Salome performed their final dance of the competition which was a high energy hip hop routine to ‘Fire it Up’ scoring them a 30 from the judges.
Brian said; “The last dance of season five, but I think that could be the best dance of five seasons!”
The winners on the night were decided by the public vote alone, so we were treated to a very special performance from Becky Hill with her single ‘Run’ whilst the votes were coming in.
Of course, it wouldn’t be the final without seeing all of the previous contestants as they were reunited onstage to perform one last time!
Ultimately it was Nina Carberry and Pasquale La Rocca who took home the coveted glitterball trophy as they were crowned the Dancing with the Stars champions for 2022 after 12 weeks of live shows!
Pasquale, who won the last series in 2020 alongside Lottie Ryan, described Nina as “a dream woman” after their win. Nina said; “This is an incredible show and I’m delighted to be part of it all!”
A huge congratulations to Nina and Pasquale, we’re already counting down the days until next year’s show…
