Dancing with the Stars is back on our screens in the new year.
And with a new season brings a new season of celebrities.
RTÉ has started revealing who will be showcasing their dance skills this week. Including a brand new judge in the form of Karen Byrne.
Let’s meet our celebrities…
Aishah Akorede
First up to be announced is beauty queen Aishah Akorede.
Aishah was crowned Miss Universe Ireland in 2023 and holds a Master of Laws in International Corporate Governance from Queen’s University, Belfast. She is currently pursuing a qualification in Chartered Governance.
On joining the cast of Dancing with the Stars, Aishah commented: “I’m mostly excited about learning how to dance like a ballroom dancer, to be honest. I did a little bit of ballet growing up, but it’s nothing compared to any of this… I did ballet from the age of four to fifteen, but I had to stop. I’m like a footballer that just never got to go professional because of a knee injury. But during the pandemic, I ended up going back to ballet at the age of 24. I’m 25 now and I’m the old lady in the class, which is crazy to say that a 25-year-old is an old lady!”
She continued: “I’m not a very competitive person, and people always think that girls in pageantry are really competitive. Everything I do in life, I kind of do with no expectations and with the aim of just enjoying the experience and whatever comes out of it. So hopefully I do come out on top, but even if I don’t, I’ll just genuinely be so grateful for the opportunity.”
Danny O’Carroll
Our second contestant has been revealed as Danny O’Carroll.
And Mrs Brown’s Boys Buster Brady is determined to dazzle on the dancefloor! His castmate and aunt, Eilish O’Carroll took part in 2019, while Rory Cowan competed for the coveted glitterball earlier this year.
Danny commented: “I’ve wanted to do Dancing with the Stars for the last four years, but I have always been touring the UK with Mrs. Brown’s Boys in January, so it just wasn’t possible. But this year, we’re touring in Ireland for the first time in over twelve years, and I can commute to get the rehearsals in so it’s working out really well. I’m delighted to finally be able to do it!”
On the encouragement from Mrs. Brown’s Boys cast members: “I’m really taken aback at how much everybody has been behind me. My aunt Eilish is begging me to go as far as I can for her. I want to do the best I can. I’m not a dancer, so I’m well out of my comfort zone, but I’m going to try to do whatever I can to get to the final…I’m going to give it socks!”
Gearóid Farrelly
Our third contestant is comedian Gearóid Farrelly!
He will swap stand up for Salsa in his latest adventure as he takes to the dancefloor. A seasoned performer with an impressive comedy career, Gearóid’s breakthrough came when he was announced as a finalist in the So You Think You’re Funny? competition at the Edinburgh Festival.
On trading his comedy chops for Chassé Gearóid said: “I am absolutely terrified. Well, I was terrified before the meet and greet, walking into that room was genuinely one of the scariest things I have ever done. But everybody is so nice, we are gelling as a gang so fast and I’m just enjoying every second of it.”
Gearóid will be part of a same sex couple for the eighth series, saying: “As a young gay kid, if I had seen two men dancing together on the television, it would have been such a relief.”
Jack Woolley
Our fourth contestant is going for gold as he’s Olympian Jack Woolley.
Jack is the first-ever athlete to have represented Ireland in taekwondo at the Olympic Games. He made his debut with Team Ireland at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and most recently, he competed at the Paris 2024 Olympics earlier this year.
Speaking about joining the series, Jack said: “I’m excited. This is something completely new for me. I think taekwondo is going to help because I’m flexible and I know my body, but remembering the steps is completely different.
“With taekwondo, I’m standing in front of somebody who’s moving and I’m responding to what they’re doing. I’m fighting them, and it’s so unpredictable. But with this, you’ve got the set steps that you have to do in time. That’s going to be completely new to me. Luckily, I have a nice start because I’ve got the athleticism, but I can’t just take that for granted!”
Mickey Joe Harte
Singer songwriter Mickey Joe Harte is swapping his green guitar for dancing shoes as he joins the eighth series of Dancing with the Stars.
Mickey Joe Harte first captured the nation’s attention two decades ago, as the first ever winner of You’re a Star. He went on to represent Ireland at Eurovision 2003 in Riga, Latvia, performing We’ve Got the World Tonight.
Chatting about his decision to step into the sequins, Mickey Joe said: “I just thought the time felt right. Honestly, even a few years ago, I probably wouldn’t have been as open to it. But I think with Eurovision last year and Bambie Thug doing so well, it felt like there’s a nice buzz out there. I think it’s just the right time and I’m not getting any younger!”
As Mickey Joe trades the hills of Donegal for the bright lights of the ballroom, and gets used to performing without his guitar, he says: “I don’t have the crutch anymore, the guitar or the microphone. I tend to talk when I’m doing gigs and get the crowd going. You just have to go out there, do your thing, dance and make sure that you’re on it. There’s no warming yourself into the gig, you’re straight on!”
Elaine Crowley
Elaine is one of the country’s most popular television presenters. She has been central to Virgin Media’s daytime schedule for over twenty years and currently co-hosts Ireland AM alongside Martin King.
Beginning her career in the newsroom, Elaine’s outgoing personality and likeability saw her eventually make the move to entertainment, where she hosted shows such as Midday and her self-titled talk show, Elaine.
Elaine commented: “I’ve never done anything remotely like this before, never mind in front of so many people. But my eldest sister said to me, you haven’t put yourself out of your comfort zone for decades. You can interview the politicians.
“You can do all the stuff on Ireland AM, but challenge yourself for once. So, class of 2025 bring it on. What’s the worst that can happen?”
Kevin Dundon
Celebrity chef, presenter and author Kevin is a household name in Ireland’s culinary circles.
Best known for presenting television series such as Guerrilla Gourmet and Heat, Kevin is also an author and has published several cookbooks.
Kevin commented: “I’m excited. The fact that I’m actually going to learn to dance means that my wife will hopefully now enjoy dancing with me at weddings, and I won’t make a complete fool of myself! I’m a little bit nervous, as it’s quite difficult to learn the moves.
“It’s tricky. As a chef, I’m coordinated, but not with my feet. My first dance is an American Smooth, so I’m going to treat it like a risotto, nice and slow with a little bit of excitement at the end.”
Kayleigh Trappe
Kayleigh is a social media star from Co. Monaghan.
A former primary school teacher, she has amassed a huge following of over 400,000 followers and millions of likes on TikTok and Instagram for her comedy sketch videos, in which she lip syncs along perfectly to pop culture clips and iconic Irish celebrity moments.
Kayleigh said: “I’m so excited. It feels so surreal, especially because I’m so used to just being behind the camera in the comfort of my own home, and now I’m going full glitz and glam. It’s a big change but I can’t wait to get the glitter ball rolling!
“This type of glam has never been a part of my life, but I have so much support from my family and friends at home in Monaghan. I can’t wait to be in the midst of it all now.”
Rhys McClenaghan
Rhys made history when he became the first ever gymnast to win an Olympic gold medal in this sport for Ireland at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
He has celebrated many successes prior to this; he was the first Irish gymnast to compete in a European final and win a European medal, and also to win a world bronze medal in 2019.
Rhys commented: “I’m thrilled to take on this new challenge and look forward to bringing some gymnastics skills to the dance floor. I am approaching my training for the 2025 competition year differently.
“I took some time to travel, and as I begin my first training block for the LA Games, I will also have some fun figuring out how to dance! Hopefully, with the guidance of my pro dance partner, I can bring some of my pommel horse flair to the dance floor, too!”
Yasmin Seky
Yasmin Seky is an actress from Dublin. Best known for her breakout role in the RTÉ drama series Kin, in which she played the role of Nikita.
In 2022, Yasmin was awarded the RTS Ireland Award for Best Newcomer for her role in Kin.
Yasmin commented: “I’m a little nervous, as I’ve never really done anything like this before. But I’m really excited too. I suppose nervousness and excitement manifests in the body the same way, so I don’t know which one I am!
“I think the anxiety that I have from time to time motivated me to take part. With acting on screen, if you mess up you can go again, but with this you get one shot and you just have to make it happen!”
Joanna Donnelly
Meterologist Joanna Donnelly is the final celebrity contestant for this season’s glittering lineup of Dancing with the Stars.
With 25 years as a meteorologist under her belt, Joanna has been keeping audiences calm through even the stormiest of forecasts.
Now, she’s ready to twist her way into a whole new kind of front – on the dance floor! Joanna said: “I’m ready to get my feet moving! I’ve watched the show all these years, and all I want to do is learn how to dance.
“I had an Irish dancing lesson back in 1979 and my mother spent a year’s savings on an Irish dancing costume, but I did one Feis and then quit. She never let me live it down! But she was a huge fan of Dancing with the Stars, so she’s definitely got my back on this.”
Dancing with the Stars returns to RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Sunday January 5th at 6:30pm
