DWTS: 'iconic' performances, 'smooth' moves and adversity as second show wows

The second serving of this year’s Dancing with the Stars aired on RTÉ One on Sunday night, with plenty of memorable moments and courageous performances in a show hit with unexpected last-minute misfortune.

At the top of the show hosts Jennifer Zamparelli and Doireann Garrihy comfirmed that the scores from Sunday’s show will be added to those from last week’s show, with the total amount then adding to the scores from next week’s show when the first couple will be eliminated from the series.

Kicking off the show in style were Rosanna Davison and dance partner Stephen Vincent who wowed judges with her Salsa performance, dancing to Hips Don’t Lie by Shakira.

Applauding her exploits, judge Lorraine Barry told her: “You’ve ripped it to pieces”.

Lorraine went on to commend Rosanna for transforming into a “sassy sensuous Salsa dancer” this week, before fellow judge Brian Redmond described her as “a different woman tonight”.

Having described Rosanna’s dance last week as “magical”, Arthur Gourounlian exclaimed: “those hips did not lie tonight!”

Reflecting on her own performance, Rosanna said: “I felt like it was my 21-year-old Rosanna coming out again, dancing with my friends, loving life.”

The couple earned a total score this week of 23 from the judges.

Following on was a Samba performance by TikToker Miriam Mullins and pro dance partner Montel Hewson.

Having been told last week by judge Brian Redmond that her feet had “more spring than a mob of kangaroos in a mattress factory”, she went on to deliver a “fierce” dance.

She received 7’s from all three judges, scoring a total of 21 for the night.

Fair City’s Shane Quigley Murphy and partner Laura Nolan on Sunday night’s show

Fair City’s Shane Quigley Murphy and partner Laura Nolan danced the Waltz, with one viewer cheekily commenting on Twitter: “I want to know where Shane got his see thru mesh shirt.”

Shane and Laura finished the night with an impressive total of 20.

Storming onto the dancefloor next was Mrs. Brown’s Boys actor Rory Cowan and his other dancing half Jillian Bromwich with the Viennese Waltz.

Judge Brian was not convinced, however, describing the performance as “musically, very Venetian, posturally, a little bit Notre Dame,” in reference to Disney’s slouchy Hunchback of Notre Dame character.

There was positive approval from judge Arthur Gourounlian, who described the dance as “such an improvement from last week”.

Unfortunately, no complimentary appraisal hope to place Brian anywhere near top of the leaderboard as the judges scored his effort with a total of a lowly 14.

Radio and TV presenter Laura Fox was accompanied by pro partner Denys Samson as they danced the contemporary ballroom.

The pair catapulted themselves right into contention for top three in the series as they achieved a final score of 22.

Next on was RTÉ television presenter Katja Mia and her partner Ervinas Merfeldas performing the foxtrot.

The pair managed a final score on the night of 22.

Jason Smyth and his replacement partner Juliia Vasylenko then danced their Pasodoble. Jason’s regular partner Karen Byrne was forced to pull out of this weekend due to an illness she developed on Wednesday.

Karen admitted: “I don’t think in seven seasons I’ve ever been so sick”.

Despite the disruptive week’s preparations, the makeshift couple powered through to finish with a score of 17.

Former RTÉ News presenter Eileen Dunne was particularly popular tonight as she performed the Cha Cha with pro partner Robert Rowinski.

Described as “iconic” by her former employers at RTÉ, her shift tonight earned acclaim on social media, as one user wrote: “Loving Eileen Dunne living her absolute best life on Dancing with the Stars”.

Despite the high praise, Eileen came away with just 13 points from the judges.

However, powering to the top of the leaderboard after two weeks are Wild Youth’s David Whelan and Salome Chachua who bagged a handy 24 points from the judges to finish top on the night, as well as top outright, as things stand.

Judge Brian was so impressed with David’s performance that he said: “Get used to lifting stuff because you could be lifting that glitter ball pretty soon”.

As voting lines are now open, the current combined scoreboard going into next week is as follows:

1. David and Salome – 47
2. Blu and Simone – 44
3. Katja and Ervinas – 43
4. Laura and Denys – 43
5. Rosanna and Stephen – 40
6. Miriam and Montel – 39
7. Shane and Laura – 39
8. Davy and Laura 34
9. Jason and Juliia 34
10. Eileen and Robert – 27
11. Rory and Jillian – 25

The first eviction of the seasons takes place on next week’s show, airing from 6:30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.