After almost three months of intense training and jaw-dropping routines, Lottie Ryan and Pasquale LaRocca were crowned winners of this year’s Dancing with the Stars.
The pair faced some incredibly tough competition, as they performed against Ryan Andrews, Grainne Gallanagh and Aidan Fogarty in a bid to win the glitterball trophy.
Hoping to impress both judges and viewers at home, each duo performed two routines – and their efforts certainly paid off.
First up was Aidan Fogarty and his partner Emily Barker, who performed a Viennese Waltz to Westlife’s track, Another Life.
They scored 26 points from the judges, with Darren Bennett telling them; “This the hardest show of the whole season.
“Coming out with no audience…they say Dance like nobody’s watching, and you’ve really set the standard for tonight’s final – well done.”
Beaming with pride after his performance, Aidan said, “It felt amazing to dance with but a little bit surreal without an audience. I never imagined to be here on the final night.”
Actor Ryan Andrews was next to perform, dancing a samba to Lo-Lo Dzama.
The pair scored an almost perfect 29 points, as Lorraine Barry told them: “I thought it was fantastic. I don’t know how you pulled this off in one week.
“The eye of the tiger was there, and you are hungry for this and you really pulled this off.”
Thrilled that the judges appreciated the routine, Ryan said, “It was brilliant – great fun, intense but with samba like that you have to give it 110%. We worked twelve hours a day to get this right.”
Lottie Ryan and Pasquale LaRocca took the dancefloor, performing a quickstep to Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett’s Don’t Mean A Thing.
Wowing the judges, the pair received top marks of 30 points.
Brian Redmond said, ““We talked a lot about your power, we’ve talked a lot about your skill, we’ve even talked a lot about the entertainment value that you bring but tonight I’m going to talk about your attention to detail.
“Your attention to detail is just absolutely phenomenal. They say the devil is often in the detail, but you looked like an absolute angel”
Over the moon, Lottie beamed, “I’m so happy with the comments as we worked so hard on the detail of that dance. It was a really, really tough dance.
“Strangely I think it was one of my favourites now. I really enjoyed performing it and I think the chorography was just magic. I loved every second of it – it was just brilliant.”
Next up, Grainne Gallanagh and Kai Widdrington danced a Foxtrot to Falling by Hary Styles.
They scored 27 points from the judges, and Lorraine told them, ““I think the ballroom girl is back and you looked like you really enjoyed it. You made it look so easy.”
Grainne said, ““I love this dance. It’ s harder than it looks, it’s very technical. I love ballroom. It took a lot of effort, we worked really hard.”
After they all performed their individual routines, each pairing teamed up with another professional dancer.
Aidan Fogarty and Emily Barker danced with Laura Nolan. The trio scored 27 points for their salsa.
Following the performance, Aidan said, “I’m feeling pretty good, I am feeling that I’m living my best life. I’m hoping I’ve done enough.
“When I started out, all I wanted to do was do myself justice and just be me and come across who I am.
“I thank God I’m in the final, it’s not for the glory it’s for all the hard work myself and Emily did over the last number of weeks. It’s been an emotional roller-coaster and I enjoyed every minute of it.”
Ryan Andrews and Giulia Dotta teamed up with Karen Byrne to perform an American Smooth.
Scoring 30 points, the actor said, “That was absolutely brilliant and to perform the dance this week for the final.”
2FM presenter Lottie Ryan danced a cha-cha-cha with Pasquale and Ryan McShane.
Impressing the judges again, she scored another 30 points.
Brian Redmond told her: “I couldn’t take my eyes of you from start to finish. This is a final and this is the last dance you’ll do. On those circumstances you have to bring it your all.
“I have so, so much respect for you because you give it your all every single week and tonight was absolutely no exception.”
Finally, performing the last routine of the night, Grainne Gallanagh, Kai Widdrington and Stephen Vincent took to the dancefloor to perform a fun-filled Charleston.
Blowing the judges away, they scored 30 points.
“It was so much fun, I really enjoyed it,” Grainne said, “It’s so surreal to think that was my last dance but I we went out with a bang – I’m so happy.”
Once the votes were counted, Lottie Ryan and Pasquale went home with the trophy.
“I actually have no words,” Lottie began.
“This journey has been the best thing I have ever said yes to. This man has just been life changing, the things he has taught me, how he has pushed me, and I just can’t thank you enough for everything you have done.”