The Irish version of Strictly Come Dancing is back this weekend…
The Glitterball awaits for one of the eleven couples competing on Dancing with the Stars 2025, which returns to RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Sunday 5th January, 6.30pm.
This year the programme welcomes four new professional dancers to the RTÉ family with Maciej Zieba, Rebecca Scott, Daniela Roze and Alex Vladimirov aiming to make their celebrity partners ballroom winners.
The dazzling duos taking part in this series are, Joanna Donnelly and Maciej Zieba. Meteorologist Joanna Donnelly prepares to blow the audience away with newcomer Maciej Zieba from Poland. Maciej has been competing in Latin American and Ballroom dancing since the age of five, and is a former student of fellow Dancing with the Stars pro dancer Robert Rowiński.
Rhys McClenaghan and Laura Nolan. Olympic gold pommel horse medallist Rhys McClenaghan is teaming up with the talented Laura Nolan, who has been a Dancing with the Stars stalwart since 2020. Laura returns for her fifth season and will undoubtedly be going for gold this year with champion gymnast Rhys. Elaine Crowley and Denys Samson. Broadcaster Elaine Crowley will be taking to the floor with Ukrainian pro dancer Denys Samson, who is back for his fourth season. Denys will be hoping to shimmy his way to the grand finale for the third time lucky this year, after reaching the final with 2FM presenter Laura Fox earlier this year and with singer Erica Cody in 2022.
Kevin Dundon and Rebecca Scott. Ready to brew up a storm on the dance floor, celebrity chef Kevin Dundon will be guided by the experienced hand of Dancing with the Stars Ireland newcomer Rebecca Scott. With many national and world titles under her belt, Rebecca has travelled all over the world to represent England at an elite level. Most recently, she featured as a troupe dancer on Strictly Come Dancing’s Blackpool special.
Also, Yasmin Seky and Simone Arena. Kin actress Yasmin Seky prepares to dazzle on the dancefloor with Italian pro dancer Simone Arena, who is back for his second season. Simone danced with RuPaul‘s Drag Race UK star Blu Hydrangea to the finale last season, so he will be giving it his all with his new partner in the hopes of waltzing away with the glitterball trophy. Kayleigh Trappe and Ervinas Merfeldas. TikTok sensation Kayleigh Trappe joins forces with Irish pro dancer Ervinas Merfeldas, who returns for his third spin around the dancefloor. In previous seasons, Ervinas was partnered with Missy Keating, Stephanie Roche, and most recently, with television presenter Katja Mia in 2024.
Mickey Joe Harte and Daniela Roze. Eurovision singer Mickey Joe Harte is teamed with new pro dancer Daniela Roze. The pair are set to give it their all on the dance floor. Daniela is a five-time all-Ireland Latin dance champion from Maynooth. She has also represented Ireland in many international competitions winning a plethora of titles.
Jack Woolley and Alex Vladimirov. Irish taekwondo Olympian Jack Woolley is teaming up with the seasoned Australian pro dancer Alex Vladimirov, who is making her Irish debut following a five-season stint on Dancing with the Stars Australia. Born in Ukraine before moving to Germany, Alex started her dance career at the age of six in Cologne, where she studied all forms of dance, before pursuing Ballroom and Latin dancing professionally. After moving to Melbourne at the age of 14 she became an Australian Ten Dance Champion and finalist in multiple Asian and European competitions.
Heading to the telly ballroom too are Gearóid Farrelly and Stephen Vincent. Comedian Gearóid Farrelly is joining forces with the talented English pro dancer Stepen Vincent. Stephen is no stranger to the Dancing with the Stars final and will be guiding Gearóid towards the glitterball. Stephen reached the final with Paralympic swimmer Ellen Keane in 2022 and has partnered with celebrities in previous seasons including Yewande Biala, Dr. Marie Cassidy and earlier this year, Rosanna Davison.
Aishah Akorede and Robert Rowiński. Beauty queen and former Miss Universe Ireland Aishah Akorede will be dancing alongside her Polish pro dancer Robert Rowiński, who has danced on five seasons of the show to date. Robert has reached the final on two occasions, with country music singer, Cliona Hagan in 2019 and with Eurovision star, Brooke Scullion in 2023. Danny O’Carroll and Salome Chachua. Mrs. Brown’s Boys regular Danny O’Carroll will be put through his paces with Georgian dancing queen Salome Chachua. Salome has made it to the final twice in previous seasons, with Wild Youth singer David Whelan in 2024 and with rugby sevens player, Jordan Conroy in 2022.
“Despite some making it to the final in previous years, none of this year’s returning pro dancers have ever lifted the Dancing with the Stars glitterball trophy in Ireland, so all eleven are vying for their first Irish win!” – RTÉ
Dancing with the Stars, RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, Sunday 5th January, 6.30pm
