Last night saw another glitzy and glamorous episode of Dancing with the Stars, and as usual we were not left disappointed by the incredible standard of the performances on the show. The theme of the show was ‘Big Band Night’ and live in studio was the RTÉ Concert Orchestra who created an electric atmosphere as they provided live music for the dancers as well as singing from Susan McFadden and Ashton Jones.
Of course we were also joined by the sow’s wonderful presenters, Jennifer Zamparelli and Nicky Byrne along with judges Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond and Arthur Gourounlian.
First out on the dance floor was TV presenter Gráinne Seoige and her professional dance partner, John Nolan. The pair danced a cha-cha-cha to Dancing in the Street which scored them a 19 from the judges.
Commenting on their performance Loraine said; “The hips, you know I’m always going to ask for more…to get a little bit more punch in that performance…” and Arthur said; “The key to a great cha-cha is being fun, flirty and full of energy, and you definitely had that tonight.”
Judge, Brian Redmond also loved their routine saying; “Tonight, the girl next door definitely came out to play – (it had) all of those characteristics that we want from cha-cha.”
Ultimately, this positive feedback was not enough to keep Gráinne and John in the competition, as they found themselves in the bottom two and scored the lowest points from the judges’ and public vote and the judges sent them home.
Speaking about her experience on the show Gráinne said; “I’ve had the best time, you can’t even describe the experience of this show.”
Next out on the floor was rugby star Jordan Conroy and his partner on the show Salome Chachua, who found themselves in the bottom two this week. The pair danced an uplifting contemporary ballroom to High opes, which got them a standing ovation from the judges and they scored their first 30 for this season.
Brian loved their performance; “There’s no high hopes here, because that was high achieving all the way, the lifts were excellent. Fantastic.”
Loraine too shared her delight; “Contemporary is all about creativity, but this is just off the charts tonight. Amazing, Salome, you do challenge him, but he rises every time to it.”
Love Island star, Matthew MacNabb was out on the floor next with professional dancer, Laura Nolan. Matthew and Laura performed a Bond-inspired paso doble to Live and Let Die which scored them a 22 from the judges.
Loraine shared; “A lot of energy…this is a big sound, it’s a big dance, and I think it’s a big success for you tonight.”
Brian added that he felt Matthew had really progressed; “Really great characterisation all the way through, the body lines which are so important in paso were all there. Compared to what we have seen you do so far, that was a very good paso.”
Erica Cody and professional dancer, Denys Samson were out next and they danced a beautiful American Smooth to Ella Fitzgerald’s Too Darn Hot. Their beautiful performance earned them a 25 from the judges.
Loraine shared; “We had a few little mishaps going on there, that happens, the good thing I always say is, you kept going. But I loved that, so Hollywood, so beautiful.”
Arthur said; “Erica it must be hard for you this week because of last week’s dance off, but you came back and told us what you are made of.”
Jockey, Nina Carberry took to the floor with Pasquale La Rocca for a sensational charleston to Doop which had judges Loraine and Arthur out of their seats. The pair, who scored a perfect 30 on last week’s show did the same again last night!
Arthur raved about their performance; “The way I like to describe you is Wonder Woman, with lots of identical sisters. You are so versatile, that was the best charleston of the season so far.”
Brian too was in raptures; “I think you missed your calling, to achieve what you are achieving in the space of a few months dancing, imagine how good you would have been if you started as a child? Excellent.”
Loraine added; “There was so much in it, everything was there, it was the teamwork, I love to see that. We said at the beginning ‘Nina is the dark horse’, tonight you are the frontrunner.”
Ellen Keane and Stephen Vincent performed an incredible upbeat jive to Candyman. This scored Paralympian, Ellen and Stephe an impressive 27 from the judges.
Commenting on their performance Brian said; “Delivered all the way through – I thought it was excellent.”
Loraine too has positive things to say; “I saw a lot of jumping jive and that really takes a lot of energy. It was absolutely wonderful, you both blow me away, it’s this relationship you have, the trust that you have. Ellen…you always deliver.”
Last out on the floor this week was Aslan star, Billy McGuinness and pro dancer, Hannah Kelly. The pair danced a samba to Rock the Boat which scored them an 18 with the judges.
Loraine said; “This is the samba Billy, the samba is about the bounce…but there is no technique here, it’s Billy’s technique. The lift was great, but there’s no lifts allowed!”
Arthur added; “Team Banana you are rocking. Billy, you are living proof that dancing is happiness, dancing is joy.”
Unfortunately, pro cyclist, Nicolas Roche and his partner Karen Byrne were absent from the show on Sunday night after he tested positive for Covid-19 and we will hopefully seem them back on the show next week!
