Paralympian Jason Smyth crowned Dancing with the Stars champion in emotional finale
Jason Smyth and Karen Byrne lifted the glitterball trophy tonight
Six-time Paralympic champion Jason Smyth has been crowned the winner of the seventh season of Dancing with the Stars.
The visually impaired sprinter lifted the glitterball trophy alongside partner Karen Byrne in the grand finale this St Patrick's Day.
The 36-year-old Derry native, who has less than 10% vision, said his participation in the show has been about "showing what's possible".
He thanked his wife for the "sacrifices" she made to allow him to do the show, and his pro dancer Karen.
Tonight, each celebrity reprised a previous dance of the judges choosing, along with a spectacular showdance.
Earlier in the night, Jason had reprised his samba again from week seven, and delivered a highly emotional showdance.
For the Judges' Choice samba, head judge Loraine Barry had said: "I can not believe how much you have improved."
He scored 28 for his samba, including a 10 from Loraine, his highest score to date.
But the real standout tonight was his stunning showdance, where his partner Karen Byrne danced a portion of the performance blindfolded.
Smyth has received praise throughout the competition for his outstanding performances given the extra challenge he faced, and tonight the judges took the opportunity to thank him for what he has brought to the competition.
“Your journey isn’t about what you’ve learned, it’s about what you’ve taught us," judge Brian Redmond said, adding that the "real magician" for him the past couple of months has been his pro dancer Karen.
Meanwhile, Loraine said: "For me tonight, this was an exhibition and lesson for all of us, for what you can do in life.”
An emotional Arthur Gourounlian said, “Jason.. Wow, wow, wow. You have gone the distance. I am so emotional because you’ve put everything into this dance.
“On behalf of everyone.. Jason thank you for inspiring us.”
He scored his first perfect score of 30.
The RTÉ star was asked by the judges to perform her very first dance, the jive, once again in tonight's final.
When she performed it in week one, the judges felt the energy slipped as the routine went on, but tonight? She "absolutely smashed it," head judge Loraine Barry decreed.
"It was all there," she said, while Brian saluted Laura's "energy and power". It was 10s across the board.
And her showdance earned another perfect score of 30.
“A star is born," Arthur Gourounlian said. "You're on fire tonight. This dance was the cherry on the top.”
Speaking to an emotional Laura, Brian said the RTÉ broadcaster was somebody he believed young woman should look up to.
"Your focus, your determination... it's what has got you this far,” he said.
Wild Youth frontman David Whelan was asked to dance his Pulp Fiction inspired jive again tonight.
"Every step was as tight as John Travolta’s trousers," Brian commented.
“This is truly off the charts,” Loraine said, calling it a “blockbuster.”
Arthur concurred, calling it “perfection".
“I couldn’t take my eyes off you," he said. It was a perfect score of 30.
His showdance later in the night was declared "breathtaking," by head judge Loraine.
Arthur called it "incredible" and thanked Salome for her "outstanding choreography" throughout the series.
It was another perfect score of 30.
Blu Hydrangea received perfect points for their Contemporary Ballroom to 'Tattoo' by Loreen from week five.
In the initial performance, Blu's mic had come loose, but tonight it was perfect, and she scored 30.
The drag queen from Belfast rounded-off the night's performances with a showdance to 'I Am What I Am' from the musical, .
Arthur called it, "colourful, creative and camp," while Brian said: "I’m glad you are what you are".
Loraine said the dance showed the confidence partner Simone had in Blu "to pull off a Broadway number”.
Speaking after the performance, a highly emotional Blu said: “People like us aren’t always accepted... to dance that on RTÉ One in front of all these people... to that song... it just felt right.”
She finished her time in the competition with another perfect score of 30.
