Dancing with the Stars (Irish series 2)


Dancing with the Stars returned for a second series on 7 January 2018 on RTÉ One. Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond and Julian Benson returned to the judging panel for a second year, while Amanda Byram and Nicky Byrne also returned as hosts.
Sean Smullen did not return for this series, however all other professional dancers did. Sean was replaced by former professional champion, Robert Rowiński.
The competition was won by Jake Carter alongside professional partner Karen Byrne.
On 25 March 2018, RTÉ announced that it would return for a third series in 2019.

Couples

On 3 December 2017, it was confirmed that Deirdre O'Kane would compete in the series.
On 4 December 2017, it was revealed on RTÉ 2fm's Breakfast Republic that host, Bernard O'Shea, was the latest celebrity to confirmed to be taking part.
On 6 December 2017, in an interview with Ryan Tubridy on his breakfast show on RTÉ Radio 1, it was revealed that Maïa Dunphy would be taking part in the series. On 8 December 2017, Erin McGregor, Marty Morrissey and Norah Casey appeared on The Late Late Show confirming their participation, with the remaining five contestants being confirmed later in the show. On 20 December 2017, previously confirmed celebrity, Aoife Walsh, was forced to pull out of the show due to injury; she was replaced by Alannah Beirne.
CelebrityKnown forProfessionalStatus
Norah CaseyBusinesswomanCurtis PritchardEliminated 1st
on 21 January 2018
Tomás O'LearyFormer rugby playerGiulia DottaEliminated 2nd
on 28 January 2018
Maïa DunphyBroadcaster & authorRobert RowińskiEliminated 3rd
on 4 February 2018
Bernard O'SheaStand-up comedianValeria Milova
Karen Byrne 		Eliminated 4th
on 18 February 2018
Marty MorrisseyRTÉ Sport commentatorKsenia Zsikhotska
Emily Barker 		Eliminated 5th
on 25 February 2018
Alannah BeirneFashion modelVitali Kozmin
Kai Widdrington 		Eliminated 6th
on 4 March 2018
Rob HeffernanOlympic race walkerEmily Barker
Ksenia Zsikhotska 		Eliminated 7th
on 11 March 2018
Erin McGregorFitness modelRyan McShane
John Nolan 		Eliminated 8th
on 18 March 2018
Deirdre O'KaneStand-up comedian & actressJohn Nolan
Vitali Kozmin 		Runners-up
on 25 March 2018
Anna GearyCamogie playerKai Widdrington
Ryan McShane 		Runners-up
on 25 March 2018
Jake CarterSinger-songwriterKaren Byrne
Valeria Milova 		Winners
on 25 March 2018

Scoring chart

Average chart

This table only counts for dances scored on a traditional 30-points scale.
Rank by
average		PlaceCoupleTotal
points		Number of
dances		Total
average
11Jake & Karen3951526.3
22Anna & Kai3801525.3
36Alannah & Vitali224924.9
44Erin & Ryan2961224.7
52Deirdre & John3631524.2
65Rob & Emily2091020.9
710Tomás & Giulia55318.3
89Maïa & Robert67416.8
911Norah & Curtis32216.0
108Bernard & Valeria85614.2
117Marty & Ksenia93713.3

Highest and lowest scoring performances

The highest and lowest performances in each dance according to the judges' scale are as follows.
DanceCelebrityHighest scoreCelebrityLowest score
TangoAnna Geary28Bernard O'Shea10
Cha-cha-chaErin McGregor25Marty Morrissey8
SalsaAnna Geary30Bernard O'Shea17
FoxtrotErin McGregor24Norah Casey15
CharlestonAnna Geary
Jake Carter		30Marty Morrissey12
WaltzErin McGregor29Maïa Dunphy16
QuickstepDeirdre O'Kane29Marty Morrissey12
JiveAnna Geary29Marty Morrissey14
RumbaJake Carter26Marty Morrissey16
Paso DobleErin McGregor28Tomás O'Leary16
American SmoothAlannah Beirne
Deirdre O'Kane		26Bernard O'Shea14
Contemporary BallroomJake Carter30Rob Heffernan24
SambaErin McGregor27Anna Geary18
Viennese WaltzJake Carter28Bernard O'Shea13
ShowdanceJake Carter
Anna Geary		30Deirdre O'Kane27
Team DanceAlannah Beirne
Deirdre O'Kane
Jake Carter		30Anna Geary
Erin McGregor
Rob Heffernan		25
Swing-a-thonJake Carter5Deirdre O'Kane1

Couples' highest and lowest scoring dances

Weekly scores and songs

''Unless indicated otherwise, individual judges scores in the charts below are listed in this order from left to right: Brian Redmond, Loraine Barry, Julian Benson.

Week 1

Individual judges scores in the charts below are listed in this order from left to right: Brian Redmond, Loraine Barry, Darren Bennett.
Due to an illness, Darren Bennett filled in for Julian Benson.
Guest act: Series 1 champions, Aidan O'Mahony and Valeria Milova performing a Charleston to 'I Got a Woman'
; Running order
CoupleScoreDanceMusic
Rob & Emily17 Jive"One Way or Another "—One Direction
Bernard & Valeria10 Tango"Video Killed the Radio Star"—The Buggles
Tomás & Giulia17 Foxtrot"All of Me"—John Legend
Jake & Karen19 Salsa"Reggaetón Lento "—CNCO & Little Mix
Marty & Ksenia12 Quickstep"You're Such a Good Looking Woman"—Joe Dolan

Week 2

Individual judges scores in the charts below are listed in this order from left to right: Brian Redmond, Loraine Barry, Darren Bennett.
Darren Bennett filled in for Julian Benson.
Guest act: Brendan Cole and Faye Huddleston performing a Rumba to 'Fields of Gold'
; Running order
CoupleScoreDanceMusic
Anna & Kai21 Tango"Rebel Rebel"—David Bowie
Alannah & Vitali20 Waltz"Moon River"— Andrea Ross
Maïa & Robert13 Cha-cha-cha"Don't Be So Hard on Yourself"—Jess Glynne
Norah & Curtis15 Foxtrot"Nora"—Tara O'Grady
Erin & Ryan23 Salsa"Instruction"—Jax Jones feat. Demi Lovato & Stefflon Don
Deirdre & John18 Jive"Mayhem"—Imelda May

Week 3

Julian Benson returned to the panel following a two-week absence.
; Running order
CoupleScoreDanceMusicResults
Deirdre & John19 Tango"I Drove All Night"—Roy Orbison and The Royal Philharmonic OrchestraSafe
Tomás & Giulia22 Jive"Chasing Cars"—The BaseballsSafe
Alannah & Vitali26 Charleston"Emergency"—Icona PopSafe
Maïa & Robert16 Waltz"See the Day"—Girls AloudSafe
Bernard & Valeria17 Salsa"He's the Greatest Dancer"—Sister SledgeSafe
Anna & Kai18 Samba"New Rules"—Dua LipaSafe
Norah & Curtis17 Paso Doble"Señorita"—BondEliminated
Jake & Karen21 Quickstep"Knee Deep in My Heart"—Shane FilanSafe
Rob & Emily18 Tango"I'm Gonna Be "—The ProclaimersLast to be called safe
Marty & Ksenia8 Cha-cha-cha"I Got You "—James BrownLast to be called safe
Erin & Ryan22 Viennese Waltz"You Don't Own Me"—Grace & G-EazySafe

Week 4: Movie Week

; Running order
CoupleScoreDanceMusicMovieResult
Erin & Ryan21 Charleston"Woo-Hoo"—The 5.6.7.8's'Safe
Marty & Ksenia15 American Smooth"Pretty Irish Girl"—Brendan O'Dowda and Ruby MurrayDarby O'Gill and the Little PeopleSafe
Rob & Emily20 Samba"Jump in the Line "—Harry BelafonteBeetlejuiceSafe
Maïa & Robert19 Rumba"Up Where We Belong"—Joe Cocker and Jennifer WarnesAn Officer and a GentlemanLast to be called safe
Tomás & Giulia16 Paso Doble"Immigrant Song"—Led Zeppelin'Eliminated
Jake & Karen24 Cha-cha-cha"The Power of Love"—Huey Lewis and the NewsBack to the FutureSafe
Anna & Kai27 Contemporary Ballroom"Let It Go"—Idina MenzelFrozenSafe
Deirdre & John25 Quickstep"Peppy and George"—Ernst Van Tiel & the Brussels PhilharmonicThe ArtistSafe
Bernard & Valeria18 Paso Doble"He's a Pirate"—Klaus Badelt and Hans ZimmerPirates of the CaribbeanLast to be called safe
Alannah & Vitali26 American Smooth"City of Stars"—Ryan Gosling and Emma StoneLa La LandSafe

Week 5

; Running order
CoupleScoreDanceMusicResult
Anna & Kai22 Paso Doble"Titanium"—David Guetta feat. SiaLast to be called safe
Bernard & Valeria14 American Smooth"Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy"—The TamsSafe
Deirdre & John19 Salsa"La Vida Es Un Carnaval "—Celia CruzLast to be called safe
Erin & Ryan24 Foxtrot"Feels Like Home"—Chantal KreviazukSafe
Maïa & Robert19 Tango"Hernando's Hideaway"—Alma CoganEliminated
Rob & Emily25 Viennese Waltz"Perfect"—Ed SheeranSafe
Alannah & Vitali23 Cha-cha-cha"Timber"—Pitbull feat. KeshaSafe
Marty & Ksenia12 Charleston"We No Speak Americano"—Yolanda Be Cool & DCUPSafe
Jake & Karen27 Contemporary Ballroom"Sign of the Times"—Harry StylesSafe

Week 6: Switch-Up Week

Guest act: Gavin James performing 'Hearts On Fire'
; Running order
CoupleScoreDanceMusic
Erin & John20 Quickstep"Life's About to Get Good"—Shania Twain
Marty & Emily14 Jive"Crocodile Rock"—Elton John
Anna & Ryan22 Viennese Waltz"Say You Love Me"—Jessie Ware
Bernard & Karen13 Charleston"Lollipop"—Mika
Jake & Valeria24 Samba"Mi Gente "—J Balvin and Willy William
Deirdre & Vitali26 American Smooth"Wuthering Heights"—Kate Bush
Alannah & Kai27 Tango"Green Light"—Lorde
Rob & Ksenia16 Quickstep"L-O-V-E"—Gregory Porter

Week 7

; Running order
CoupleScoreDanceMusicResult
Marty & Ksenia16 Foxtrot"Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head"—B. J. ThomasSafe
Alannah & Vitali22 Rumba"Havana"—Camila Cabello feat. Young ThugSafe
Deirdre & John20 Waltz"The Rainbow Connection"—Sarah McLachlanLast to be called safe
Rob & Emily21 Salsa"Livin' la Vida Loca"—Ricky MartinSafe
Bernard & Valeria13 Viennese Waltz"What's New Pussycat?"—Tom JonesEliminated
Erin & Ryan28 Paso Doble"Seven Nation Army"—The White StripesBottom two
Jake & Karen26 Tango"La cumparsita"—Jose BassoSafe
Anna & Kai30 Charleston"Bang Bang"—Will.i.amSafe

Dance-Off
; Judges' votes to save
; Running order
CoupleScoreDanceMusicResult
Erin & Ryan25 Cha-cha-cha"It's Raining Men"—The Weather GirlsSafe
Marty & Ksenia16 Rumba"The Lady in Red"—Chris de BurghEliminated
Alannah & Vitali26 Quickstep"I'll Be There for You"—The RembrandtsBottom two
Rob & Emily18 Cha-cha-cha"Ice Ice Baby"—Vanilla IceSafe
Anna & Kai22 American Smooth"Achy Breaky Heart"—Billy Ray CyrusLast to be called safe
Deirdre & John24 Paso Doble"Tragedy"—StepsSafe
Jake & Karen28 Viennese Waltz"You'll Never Walk Alone"—Gerry and the PacemakersSafe

Dance-Off
;Judges' votes to save
After each couple performed their individual dance, all six couples were separated into two teams to perform a team dance to earn a higher individual scores.
;Running order
Dance-Off
; Judges' votes to save
Guest act: Joanne Clifton and the cast of Flashdance the Musical performing a routine to 'Flashdance... What a Feeling'
; Running order
Dance-Off
;Judges' votes to save
Guest act: Riverdance collaboration with the Dancing with the Stars professional dancers.
The couples will perform two dances, the first being a song by an Irish artist to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day
;Running order
CouplesScoreDanceMusicResult
Erin & Ryan27 Samba"Rain"—The ScriptEliminated
Erin & Ryan25 Contemporary Ballroom"Alive"—SiaEliminated
Deirdre & John27 Contemporary Ballroom"Zombie"—The CranberriesSafe
Deirdre & John22 Cha-cha-cha"Can You Feel It"—The JacksonsSafe
Anna & Kai24 Foxtrot"Dancin' in the Moonlight "—Thin LizzySafe
Anna & Kai30 Salsa"Don't Stop the Music"—RihannaSafe
Jake & Karen26 Rumba"Slow Hands"—Niall HoranBottom two
Jake & Karen25 American Smooth"Let's Face the Music and Dance"—Seth MacFarlaneBottom two

Dance-Off
For the dance-off Jake & Karen chose to perform their Rumba, while Erin & Ryan chose their Samba.
Judges’ votes to save
Guest act: Picture This performing 'This Morning'.
;Running order
CouplesScoreDanceMusicResult
Deirdre & John29 Charleston"Sparkling Diamonds" — Nicole KidmanRunner-up
Deirdre & John29 Quickstep"Peppy and George"—Ernst Van Tiel & the Brussels PhilharmonicRunner-up
Deirdre & John27 Showdance"Let Me Entertain You" — Robbie WilliamsRunner-up
Jake & Karen30 Contemporary Ballroom"Sign of the Times" — Harry StylesWinner
Jake & Karen28 Jive"Rock Around the Clock " — Bill Haley & His CometsWinner
Jake & Karen30 Showdance"Mad World" — Hardwell feat. Jake ReeseWinner
Anna & Kai28 Tango"Rebel Rebel" — David BowieRunner-up
Anna & Kai30 Charleston"Bang Bang" — will.i.amRunner-up
Anna & Kai30 Showdance"This Is Me" — Keala SettleRunner-up

Dance chart