Dancing with the Stars recap: Dedication to Kellie Harrington highlight of emotional night
Olympic Taekwondo athlete Jack Woolley's dedication was a highlight of dedicated dance week. Pictures: Kyran O’Brien/kobpix
For even the most cynical among us, annual dedicated dance night never fails to draw a tear.
From sporting greats to an IVF charity, community groups and mothers, this year's celebrity cohort honoured the best of us.
The highlight of an emotional night, evidenced by a standing ovation from all in the studio audience and judging panel — and the coveted prize of immunity from next week's first dance-off of the season — was Jack Woolley's American Smooth to the Wolfe Tones' 'Grace'.
Dedicated to his friend and Olympic gold medallist Kellie Harrington, Woolley wished to highlight, in particular, the support she showed him when he suffered a random assault just weeks after his first Olympic appearance in 2021.
“She was the first person to show up to my house to make sure I was okay,” Woolley said.
The song, which has great meaning to Harrington, has a special meaning for Woolley too, who associates the song with a moment when his grandfather told him he loved him and accepted his partner into the family, fully embracing Woolley's sexuality.
A stunning American Smooth from Jack and Alex dedicated to Kellie Harrington 🤩#DWTSIrl pic.twitter.com/BBMprjw0Os
— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) February 2, 2025
“From start to finish, it was truly sublime,” head judge Loraine Barry said of the performance. “It was just beautiful.”
Judge Arthur Gourounlian labelled it "truly breathtaking".
He scored 38, including his first 10s.
Following him on the leaderboard was fellow Olympian Rhys McClenaghan who opened the show with a "jam-packed" jive dedicated to his coach Luke Carson (he scored 33), and former Miss Universe Ireland Aishah Akorede who honoured her mother Kemi with an African-inspired samba and scored 31.
Danny O'Carroll also scored 31 for his cha cha cha, but it was his pro partner Salome Chachua's impersonation of Mrs Brown that stole the show. The Dublin mammy has never looked so good...
Meteorologist Joanna Donnelly has been making a habit of seriously emotional performances, and it continued on Sunday with her dedicated dance to Sarah Murphy, one of many helped by Donnelly’s Pomegranate charity which provides financial assistance to those hoping to get pregnant via IVF treatment.
Gourounlian, who has two children via surrogacy, said he could relate to her story.
"It truly touched me," he said. "You made me remember to keep believing, and keep dreaming, and that anything is possible."
“That’s the best I’ve seen you dance,” Brian Redmond added. “This is what it’s about, improving and progressing and there's no doubt about it – you are every week.” She scored 24.
Elsewhere, comedian Gearóid Farrelly took on a Paso Doble in honour of his heroes, his parents, Eamon and Deirdre.
“You took us on a journey... I’ve never enjoyed a Paso Doble that much,” Karen Byrne commented.
“It was all there,” Barry said, “You were so in harmony with each other. I am looking at two dancers.” He added 28 to the leaderboard.
Chef Kevin Dundon dedicated his disco-inspired tango to "the love of his life,” his lovely wife, Catherine.
“I think the pressure to impress your wife paid off,” Byrne said, while Barry added, “I saw your best".
He was rewarded with his highest score to date – 22.
actress Yasmin Seky, meanwhile, dedicated her rumba to Cabra for youth, a community group which supported her in pursuing an acting career.
“The rumba is such a difficult dance to do,” Barry commented, “and it was very, very good." She scored 29.
Social media personality Kayleigh Trappe, who “put everything” into a contemporary ballroom performance dedicated to her niece Fíadh, also scored 29.
None of the celebrities were eliminated on Sunday night.
- Dancing with the Stars airs Sundays on RTÉ One at 6.30pm
