The final of RTÉ’s Dancing With The Stars takes place tonight where one celebrity contestant will hold up the Glitterball trophy.
Over the last 11 weeks, the show has seen contestants such as Rosanna Davison, Blu Hydrangea, Rory Cowan and Katja Mia battle it out each week.
This year will see Wild Youth singer David Whelan, Blu Hydrangea, TV presenter Laura Fox and Paralympian Jason Smyth, battle it out in the star-studded final.
Past Dancing With The Stars contestants are set to return to the dancefloor during the show’s final tonight.
To add to the big night, fans can get ready to witness the ultimate reunion of Dancing with the Stars legends, while also treated to a special performance by Riverdance.
From series 2, Bernard O’Shea and sporting broadcaster, Marty Morrisey will return to the ballroom.
Marty said: “I’m delighted to be back on Dancing with the Stars, dancing in the final is where I rightfully belong! It’s such a privilege to not only be back but also to be dancing Riverdance.”
“It’s an act that has added to Irish culture worldwide and getting a chance to get the legs up on St. Patrick’s Day makes it even better! We’ve a fantastic group of alumni whose company I’m thoroughly enjoying and very much looking forward to taking over the dance floor once more! Sure, we’ll dazzle brighter than the Glitterball trophy!”
Irish country singer, Cliona O’Hagan from series 3 will also be making her return to the show.
From series 4, the ballroom will see the return of Glitterball champion and 2FM presenter Lottie Ryan.
Speaking about her return, Lottie said: “I’m not quite sure what way the stars had to align to afford me the opportunity to take to this iconic dance floor once again, but I am profoundly grateful!”
“I’m being given the incredibly rare and prestigious opportunity of dancing with Riverdance, 30 years after my dad first introduced this iconic masterpiece to the world.”
“I now get to stand side-by-side and shoulder to shoulder with some of the most amazing dancers our country has ever produced – to say I’m honoured would be an understatement.”
Also from series 4, Fair City actor Ryan Andrews and television and radio presenter, Brian Dowling will don their sequins.
Brian said: “I am very excited, after four years, to make my big return to the dance floor. Anyone that watched my season of the show back in 2020 will know that I am a dreadful dancer with no natural rhythm! My daughter Blake has more rhythm than I do.”
“I am nervous about Sunday’s performance. I have been rehearsing and I have pains and aches like I’ve never had before.”
“It’s giving me flashbacks of myself and Laura Nolan in 2020. To people watching on Sunday, I sincerely apologise. I do hope Arthur gives me 10 because if he doesn’t, there will be trouble!”
Series 5 alumni and Paralympian Ellen Keane will once again make her way to the studio floor as she returns.
Ellen admitted: “What a way to spend St. Patrick’s Day! I am so excited to have a little cameo in Riverdance and to be back on the Dancing with the Stars dancefloor!”
“What a special opportunity, it’s the most bizarre thing I could ever think of but I’m so excited to be asked back, to be back in the final once again and to support Jason.”
“What’s better than one Paralympian… two Paralympians! I might just be jumping up and down but that doesn’t matter because I’ll be surrounded by professionals, and they’ll disguise it!”
From series 6, TV presenter and entrepreneur Suzanne Jackson will be lacing up her dancing shoes once again for the St. Patrick’s Day final.
The Riverdance troupe on Sunday will include some dancers performing with Riverdance themselves for the first time.
They will be joined by principal dancers Amy-Mae Dolan, Fergus Fitzpatrick, Anna Mai Fitzpatrick and Jason O’Neill and by a number of the new generation of Riverdancers.
The glitz, glamour, and nail-biting competition will conclude as the series comes to a close on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player tonight at 7pm.
Tonight’s final will run for 2 hours.
