Dancing with the Stars: Davy Russell falls at the last hurdle as finalists confirmed
Dancing with the Stars: It was semi-final week and fright night on set. Pictures: Kyran O’Brien /kobpix
Davy Rusell has fallen at the final hurdle, being sent home just before the grand final of Dancing with the Stars next week.
The retired jockey and Youghal native had scored 27 earlier in the night for his Viennese Waltz - his highest score in the competition so far.
Judge Brian Redmond had said it was "the strongest" he'd seen the champion jockey all season, while head judge Loraine Barry had praised his characterisation.
“You have come a long way,” judge Arthur Gourounlian added, "I am so proud of you."
Prior to his first dance, the Corkman had told the Irish Examiner: “I was never one for saying I was going to win this, that, or the other, but I would be very disappointed if for lack of effort I didn’t get as far as I could get,” he says.
“So I would just put in so much effort into it and try not to leave anything behind. To be honest, I’m giving it everything.”
He faced Wild Youth’s David Whelan in the dance-off, who has traditionally been one of the top scorers in the competition. Tonight was no different, as he had scored a perfect score of 30 for his salsa earlier in the night (indeed, Brian had said he had his “place in the final wrapped up already” following the performance).
As Davy left the competition, he received a standing ovation from the judges as well as the audience.
"It's been a pleasure to have you," presenter Jennifer Zamperelli said, while Doireann Garrihy became emotional calling him "a dote".
"I have to thank my wife and all the lads at home," Davy said, saying the kids would be "gutted" but it had been a "fantastic" journey.
"And Kylee," he said turning to his dance partner, "what can I say, she's a master of her trade!"
That means, this season's finalists are David Whelan, Laura Fox, Jason Smyth and Blu Hydrangea.
So how did the rest of the finalists get on?
Well, off the back of last week’s perfect score, Laura Fox had a very high bar to meet tonight with her American Smooth.
Arthur thought she met it, saying “your posture, your character, I believed everything." Loraine said her heel-turn was “immaculate” and said the lifts were “fantastic”. But, unfortunately, judge Brian had some critiques.
“Some of the ballroom sections I think just lacked a bit of finesse,” he said. “The last hurdle is this hurdle, you’ve done a fantastic job... but I am just a little bit fearful for you," he said, commenting that everyone was upping their game tonight.
She scored 26, including an 8 from Brian and two 9s, leaving her bottom of the leaderboard.
Jason Smyth took on a tango this week and scored 27, his highest score to date.
Brian said Jason made the tango look “simple” tonight. “Those couples that have been ahead of you.. I think they’re looking at this and fearful," he said.
Loraine said timing is a very important part of this particular dance and Jason's was "spot on".
"You’ve saved the very best for the semi-final," she said.
Blu Hydrangea closed the night with a Charleston to Witch Doctor by The Cartoons and earned a standing ovation from all three judges.
Arthur called it "epic".
"You are a perfectionist," he said, "and you know how to deliver."
"What an awesome Charleston," Brian said. "I was totally in it... your commitment to every movement, whether its the point of the finger, a facial expression... you've been doing that week after week after week," he said.
Loraine said it was "simply outstanding".
She scored full marks again, 30.
The final of Dancing with the Stars will air on RTÉ One, St Patrick's Day, at 6:30pm.
