Dancing with the Stars 2025: Ireland Cast, Start Date & More

If you’ve been wondering whether the glitter and glamour of Ireland’s ballroom hit will return in 2025, here’s your answer: it absolutely will. Dancing with the Stars Ireland Series 8 premiered on January 5, 2025, on RTÉ One with 11 celebrities ready to tango, waltz, and cha-cha their way through live weekly performances. RTÉ has also locked in two more years of programming, meaning fans can look forward to Series 9 arriving January 4, 2026, and the show extending through 2027.

Premiere Date: January 5, 2025 · Number of Contestants: 11 · Network: RTÉ One · Season: 8 · Renewal Announced: August 30, 2024

The following table consolidates the essential season details for quick reference.

Who is in Dancing with the Stars 2025?

Celebrity contestants

Series 8 brought together 11 well-known Irish figures across entertainment, sport, and media. Rhys McClenaghan, an Olympic gold medalist on the pommel horse, led the lineup alongside comedian and actor Danny O’Carroll from Mrs Brown’s Boys. TV presenter Elaine Crowley, celebrity chef Kevin Dundon, weather presenter Joanna Donnelly, and social media personality Yasmin Seky rounded out the mix of household names.

The remaining contestants included Olympic silver medalist Kayleigh Trappe, Eurovision semi-finalist Mickey Joe Harte, taekwondo athlete Jack Woolley, comedian Gearóid Farrelly, and TikTok creator Aishah Akorede. RTÉ Official confirmed all 11 names on January 6, 2025, following the glittering premiere episode.

Professional dance partners

Each celebrity paired with a professional dancer from the established RTÉ roster. Danny O’Carroll, for instance, was matched with Salome Chachua. The Irish Times confirmed the pairings as part of the premiere night reveal. The pro lineup for Series 8 remained consistent with prior seasons, bringing experienced performers who guided celebrities through weekly choreography challenges.

Pairings announced

The official pairings reveal aired during the premiere episode on January 5, 2025. Jennifer Zamparelli called the Series 8 cast her “favourite casting so far”, while co-host Doireann Garrihy described the lineup as “epic, nostalgic and iconic”. Viewers tuning in live saw each pairing revealed before the first group dance routines.

The combination of established television personalities, elite athletes, and rising social media creators set the stage for diverse performances throughout the season.

What date does Dancing with the Stars start in 2025?

Premiere details

Dancing with the Stars Ireland Series 8 premiered on Sunday, January 5, 2025, at 6:30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player. The confirmed date appeared across official RTÉ announcements, The Irish Times reporting, and the RTÉ YouTube promotional video. The season ran through March 16, 2025, giving viewers approximately 10 weeks of live competition.

Broadcast schedule

The show maintained its Sunday evening slot at 6:30pm throughout Series 8. Westmeath Independent documented RTÉ’s 2025 schedule release confirming the regular Sunday time slot for Dancing with the Stars. Each episode featured live routines, judge scores, and audience voting that determined weekly eliminations.

Episode format

The standard format saw celebrities perform either solo or group dances with their professional partners. Judge scores combined with viewer votes to determine bottom-placed couples facing elimination. The live broadcast allowed real-time audience participation through phone and text voting.

Who are the Dancing with the Stars Ireland judges?

2025 judging panel

Series 8 featured four judges: Loraine Barry serving as head judge, Brian Redmond, Arthur Gourounlian, and newcomer Karen Byrne. The Irish Times confirmed this panel composition in their December 2024 preview. Karen Byrne’s addition marked the most significant change to the judging lineup, bringing a fresh perspective alongside the returning regulars.

Past judges

Loraine Barry had served as head judge since the Irish adaptation began. Her tenure spanned multiple seasons before her September 25, 2025 announcement that she would depart after Series 8. Wikipedia reported her departure date, with Oti Mabuse confirmed as her replacement on October 1, 2025.

What celebrities will be on Dancing with the Stars 2025?

Contestant backgrounds

Series 8 contestants brought diverse backgrounds spanning elite sport, broadcasting, cooking, and social media. Rhys McClenaghan’s Olympic gold medal placed him among the most decorated athletes to compete on the show. Danny O’Carroll brought comedy television fame, while Elaine Crowley represented the daytime TV presenter demographic.

Athletes and performers

The athlete presence proved strong with McClenaghan, Trappe, and Woolley all holding competitive international credentials. On the entertainment side, comedian Gearóid Farrelly and TikTok creator Aishah Akorede brought social media followings to the audience. Each contestant brought different strengths, making predictions about competition outcomes difficult.

Who won Dancing with the Stars 2025 Ireland?

Previous winner

Jason Smyth, the Paralympic sprint champion, won Series 7 and set a high bar for success. His athleticism translated remarkably well to competitive dance, and many speculated whether another sporting figure could replicate that achievement in Series 8.

Season outlook

As of the research date, the Series 8 winner outcome falls outside the confirmed facts available. Viewers should consult current RTÉ programming guides for results following the March 16, 2025 season conclusion. The Irish Times continued coverage as the season progressed. The research confidence for specific elimination order remains low, limiting detailed coverage of post-premiere developments.

The pattern shows athletes consistently reaching the final stages, suggesting future contestants with competitive sports backgrounds may benefit from the conditioning and discipline those disciplines demand.

Dancing with the Stars Ireland Series 9 Preview

Looking ahead, RTÉ announced Series 9 premiering Sunday, January 4, 2026, on RTÉ One. Irish Examiner confirmed 12 celebrities will compete, expanding the cast by one contestant compared to Series 8. The cast includes Niamh Kavanagh, Paudie Moloney, Katelyn Cummins, Michael Fry, Stephanie Kelly, Eric Roberts, Philip Doyle, Tolü Makay, Amber Wilson, Anne Cassin, Jordan Dargan, and Brian Kennedy.

Niamh Kavanagh, Eurovision winning singer, was announced as the first Series 9 contestant on December 7, 2025. She pairs with Ervinas Merfeldas. The judging panel shifts significantly with Oti Mabuse taking over as head judge, joined by Brian Redmond, Arthur Gourounlian, and Karen Byrne.

Three new professional dancers join the pro roster: Arianna Favaro, James Cutler, and Leonardo Lini. Kylee Vincent returns after her maternity break. RTÉ secured a two-year deal with SHINAWIL to produce Series 9 (2026) and Series 10 (2027), ensuring the show’s continuation.

Hosts for Series 9 will be Jennifer Zamparelli and Laura Fox, with Fox filling in for Doireann Garrihy who is on maternity leave. This marks a subtle change in the presenting team while maintaining continuity with Zamparelli’s established presence.

“RTÉ is delighted to have signed a two-year deal with SHINAWIL to produce Dancing with the Stars for RTÉ audiences in 2026 and 2027.”

— RTÉ spokeswoman, RTÉ Representative

“favourite casting so far”

— Jennifer Zamparelli, Host

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