Fans of Dancing with the Stars were shocked to hear that, for the first time ever there would be an elimination in week two.
Yes, it’s the earliest ever elimination.
This means that one of the stars will be going home on Sunday night.
So who will be the victim of the eviction?
Everything is to play for as the couples battle it out to secure a place in next week’s much-anticipated Movie Week special airing on Sunday, January 18th.
Here’s what they’ll be dancing this week…
Paudie Moloney and Laura Nolan
After finishing bottom of the leaderboard last week with his Cha-cha-cha, The Traitors Ireland star Paudie Moloney will be hoping to impress the judges.
He and pro partner Laura Nolan will perform a Waltz, aptly dancing to The Godfather Waltz by Carlo Savina and Nino Rota – a fitting choice given Paudie’s nickname, “The Paud-father”.
Katelyn Cummins and Leonardo Lini
At the opposite end of the leaderboard was reigning Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins. She and partner Leonardo Lini will aim to maintain their momentum with a Jive to APT. by Rosé and Bruno Mars.
While Katelyn is well used to traditional Irish jiving – having performed it as her Rose of Tralee talent – how will she cope with the Latin version?
Eric Roberts and Arianna Favaro
Ireland AM presenter Eric Roberts and partner Arianna Favarro will be hoping to repeat last week’s strong performance with a Foxtrot to Justin Bieber’s Daisies.
Amber Wilson and Alex Vladimirov
Meanwhile, podcaster Amber Wilson will be determined to turn things around following her disappointing debut, dancing a Tango to Blondie’s Call Me with partner Alex Vladimirov.
Stephanie Kelly and Ervinas Merfeldas
Fair City star Stephanie Kelly will be living out a childhood dream this week. As a self-confessed Britney Spears superfan, Stephanie says she is “buzzing” to dance a Cha-cha-cha to I’m a Slave 4 U with partner Ervinas Merfeldas.
Jordan Dargan and Rebecca Scott
After blowing the judges away with a “hot” Salsa last week, The Apprentice star Jordan Dargan will slow things down. He and partner Rebecca Scott will perform a Viennese Waltz to Kingfishr’s Diamonds & Roses.
Anne Cassin and Robert Rowinski
Anne Cassin scored an impressive 23 points last week and is aiming to build on that success.
Anne and partner Robert Rowiński will dance the first Paso Doble of the season to David Garrett’s The 5th.
Brian Kennedy and James Cutler
Brian also scored an incredible 23 points in week one and is looking to keep the momentum going.
Brian and partner James Cutler take on a Cha-cha-cha to Benson Boone’s Mr. Electric Blue.
Niamh Kavanagh and Stephen Vincent
After opening last week’s show with a Salsa, Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh returns with partner Stephen Vincent for a Quickstep to Bette Midler’s Billy-A-Dick.
Tolü Makay and Maciej Zieba
Fellow musician Tolü Makay will perform an American Smooth to Olivia Dean’s Man I Need with partner Maciej Zięba.
Philip Doyle and Daniela Roze
After dancing ballroom last week, Olympic rower Philip Doyle is shaking things up this week!
Philip and partner Daniela Roze will dance a Salsa to Pitbull’s We Are One.
Michael Fry and Kylee Vincent
Comedian Michael Fry is also going from ballroom to Latin this week.
Michael and professional partner Kylee Vincent take on a Samba to Ed Sheeran’s 2025 hit Sapphire.
The couple with the lowest combined total from judges’ scores and public votes to date will be eliminated on Sunday, January 11th.
Each celebrity couple will be scored by an expert panel of four judges: Oti Mabuse, Brian Redmond, Arthur Gourounlian and Karen Byrne, and as well as the viewing public at home, with the winning couple claiming the much-coveted glitterball trophy at the end of the series.
Dancing with the Stars airs Sundays at 6:30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player
