Dancing with the Stars is set to return to RTE for a third season this Sunday.
Celebs including Mairead Ronan, Darren Kennedy and Peter Stringer are set to don their dancing shoes and battle it out for the next few months.
During the first episode of Can’t Stop Dancing on RTÉ One, presenter Bláthnaid Treacy finally revealed the celebrity and professional dancer pairings.
So check out the partnerships below…
Peter Stringer and Ksenia Zsikhotska
The legendary rugby star Peter will be dancing with Ksenia.
Returning to the show for a third year, last year Ksenia danced with GAA correspondent Marty Morrisey. Ksenia’s introduction to ballroom dancing was in the world famous Winter Gardens in Blackpool. Since then she has achieved many successes with her dancing partner Ryan McShane. They were the UK and British Closed Latin Professional champions and also held the Show Dance title.
Speaking about partnering with Peter, Kesnia said: “ I’m so excited to be back on Dancing with the Stars and to start the creative process for season three. Choreography and dance is my passion and I can’t wait to push myself and Peter to the max.”
Darren Kennedy and Karen Byrne
Fashion stylist Darren will be dancing with Karen.
Dancing with the Stars champion Karen won the show with her partner Jake Carter. Can she make it two in a row this year? Karen is from Dublin and started dancing at the age of six and now runs one of Ireland’s biggest and most successful dance schools. She still competes worldwide representing Ireland in all the major competitions around the world.
Speaking about being partnered with Darren she said: “I love being back on season three of Dancing with the Stars and I can’t wait to take to the dance floor with my partner Darren. We get on so well I feel like I know him for years already. He has great potential so hopefully I can keep the glitter ball for another season! Bring on Sunday!”
Eilish O’Carroll and Ryan McShane
Actor and comedian Eilish will be partnered with Ryan.
Ryan was partnered with Erin McGregor last year. Ryan began dancing at the age of 4. With his dance partner Ksenia Zsikhotska he has won multiple competitons including the UK and British Latin Professional Champion and British Show Dance Champions.
Speaking about partnering with Eilish, Ryan said: “I can’t believe how lucky I am with my partner this year. I feel so delighted that take to the dance floor with her. Can she win? Though the odds may be against her I think there is a real chance she could.”
Johnny Ward and Emily Barker
Actor Johnny will take to the floor with Emily.
Emily was partnered with Rob Heffernan last season. Emily began her dancing career at the age of seven, specialising in Latin and Ballroom. She has most recently toured with former Strictly winners Jay McGuinness and Louis Smith and another with Strictly professional Giovanni Pernice. In 2010, Emily was crowned Ballroom and Latin Junior Champion and has represented the UK in many World and European Championships.
Chatting about being partnered with Johnny, Emily said: “I’m loving being back for season three. I love everything about the show and Ireland. Working with Johnny has been so much fun and we’ve been working hard and ready to hit the dance floor.’
Cliona O’Hagan and Robert Rowiński
Country music star Cliona O’Hagan is paired with Robert.
Last year Robert was paired with Maia Dunphy. He has competed in five series of the Polish equivalent of DWTS, winning the final series. Robert began dancing at the age of seven. Throughout his 25 year dance career Robert has been Polish and Estonian National finalist, placed second at the 2008 British Closed Championships, won the 2012 Polish National Championships in both Salsa and Showdance, and placed fourth at the International Championships the same year.
Robert said about his new pairing with Cliona: “I feel so much more experienced after last season of Dancing with the Stars. I won the Polish version of the show, and after one year here I think I know what Irish audiences want. With Cliona as my celebrity dance partner the dream to win is possible! Working with her is a pleasure and she is so happy, social and enthuastic that our hard work together has become easy. I can’t wait for series three and having Cliona by my side will be epic!”
Denis Bastick and Valeria Milova
All Ireland winning Dublin footballer Denis Bastick is paired with dancer Valeria.
Valeria has won Dancing with the Stars twice before – will Denis help her repeat this success?
Valeria was born in Estonia and started dancing at the age of eight. She is a former Estonian hip-hop dancing champion and has experience in tap and jazz but specialises in Latin. She represented her country at the World and European Latin-American Championships, where she was the finalist of the IDSF Amateur European Union Latin Championship and the finalist of the WDSF World Showdance Latin Championship in 2015. Valeria took the silver medal in the Dancing with the Stars project in Europe and was invited as a choreographer and special guest performer on the second season of the same project.
Commenting on being partnered with Denis, Valeria said: “I am very excited to be back on Dancing with the Stars. I love beng part of the show that bring high quality dance and entertainment to viewers each week. Denis is a real gentleman and is very easy to get along with. I really enjoy working with such a dedicated person and can’t wait to hit the dancefloor with him on Sunday.”
Demi isaac Oviawe and Kai Widdrington
The Young Offenders star Demi will be partnered with Kai.
Last year Kai danced with Anna Geary. In 2012 Kai appeared in ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent and managed to reach the final with his partner Natalia. Kai reappeared on Britain’s Got Talent two years later with the Latin American super-group, Kings & Queens, and they reached the semi-finals of the show. In 2014, Kai moved away from the competitive world of dancing and joined the Ballroom and Latin Dance company, ‘Burn The Floor’ where he toured the world.
Speaking about Demi Kai said: “I am super excited to be back for the third series of Dancing with the Stars. Demi is an amazing dance partner and I can’t wait to hit the dance floor again this season.”
Fred Cooke and Giulia Dotta
Comedian Fred is partnered with Giulia.
Last year, Giulia partnered with Tomas O’Leary. From a very young age Giulia developed an interest for sports and art. She has appeared on So You Think You Can Dance Australia, Dancing with the Stars Australia and 2005 Blackpool edition of Strictly Come Dancing.
Giulia said: “Mark Twain once said, ‘Find a Job you enjoy doing and you will never have to work a day in your life.’ And I think I have found my one! A dream job, with a talented cast , an amazing crew and Fred is a super partner.”
Mairead Ronan and John Edward Nolan
Broadcaster Mairead will join Kilkenny dancer John.
Last year, John was paired up with Deirdre O’Kane. John has been dancing since he could walk and has represented Ireland at World and European Championships and is Irish Champion in Ballroom and Showdance.
Chatting about Mairead, John said: “I’m so thankful and excited to be back for season three of Dancing with the Stars. Myself and Mairead are having the craic and working hard in rehearsals. I admire her so much for the hard work she is putting into the show, while juggling her family life. I can barely mind myself let alone three children! Here’s to another great season.”
Clelia Murphy and Vitali Kozmin
Award-winning actor Clelia will join Vitali on the dance floor.
Vitali was partnered with Alannah Beirne last year. From Estonia, Vitali started dancing at the age of eight. He represented Estonia in World and European Latin-American Championships and is a former National Champion and finalist of many international championships. He was the winner of ‘Dancing with the Stars Project’ in Europe in 2012 and a group-dance choreographer on the same project. He was a finalist of WDSF World Showdance Latin Championship in 2015, which took place in Vienna, Austria.
Speaking about being partnered with Clelia, Vitali said: “I’m so happy to be back, it’s always a very special experience. I’m looking forward to the performances on Sunday night and to be creative in front of the amazing audiences. It’s a pleasure working with Clelia, she has an awesome personality and I can’t wait for viewers to see it on the show.’
Holly Carpenter and Trent Whiddon
Holly Carpenter’s new dance partner has also been revealed as Trent Whiddon.
Trent is best known for his professional appearance on BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing where he partnered with Pixie Lott. He has also worked for Dancing with the Star Australia and featured on Dancing with the Stars USA.
Holly was originally paired with Curtis Pritchard who was forced to drop out due to injury as a result of a nightclub attack.
Speaking about joining Dancing with the Stars Trent said: “It’s a little bit bittersweet joining the show in this situation. I wish Curtis a speedy recovery and look forward to performing on Dancing with the Stars and working with Holly until he gets back.”
