Dancing with the Stars recap: End of an incredible run for Kevin Dundon
Kevin Dundon has become the latest celebrity to be eliminated from Dancing with the Stars.
Kevin Dundon became the latest celebrity to leave Dancing with the Stars, following the first-ever country music-themed week on the show.
There was extra pressure on the celebrities competing in the quarter-final of the show - not only did they have to showcase their individual dance prowess, but they also performed a team dance challenge.
It was Dundon who was packing up his cowboy boots following this week’s dance-off against Aishah Akorede after the judges chose to save Akorede and her professional dance partner Robert Rowinski.
Head judge Lorraine Barry praised Dundon’s commitment and described him as a father figure to all the contestants and “a gentleman to all of us”.
Speaking about his time during the show, Dundon said: “I feel great. I had the best time of my life. I feel super fit, and it’s been an absolute pleasure to meet this wonderful lady.”
First to take to the dancefloor on Sunday evening, Olympian Jack Woolley had another great dance, scoring 35 points from the judges for his quick step, which saw him channel his inner Clint Eastwood.
The performance was well received by the judges, with Julian Benson describing it as “effortless” and “electrifying”.
Judge Brian Redmond said Woolley’s performance had him feeling a bit “yeehaw” and described it as an immaculate overall dance.
Kayleigh Trappe received a total of 33 points from the judges for her rumba, which she said she had been nervous about in the run-up to the show as it was such a technical routine.
Benson described it as an “absolutely captivating” dance and described her as an elegant panther, commending her poise and control.
Karen Byrne described it as a difficult rumba as it was so slow but said Trappe’s legs and feet were “so good” in the dance, acknowledging how her dance partner Ervinas Merfeldas challenged her with the routine.
Kevin Dundon found himself at the bottom of the scoreboard with a score of 21 for his Charleston, which left Redmond speechless.
“Those who like you, love you. I can’t believe I’m feeling this, but you’re even becoming a bit of a guilty pleasure for me,” he said.
Loraine Barry described Dundon’s performance as “a creative blend of Charleston and country”.
Topping the scoreboard with 39 points for the second week in a row was Rhys McClenaghan for his American Smooth, which left the judges in awe of his technicality.
Benson described the performance as “American Smooth and its finest” and described McClenaghan’s frame as strong, hold as effortless, and lifts as smooth and controlled.
Former Miss Universe Ireland Aishah Akorede’s jive earned her a score of 32 from the judges.
Barry described it as “a really good jive”, acknowledging her clean footwork.
Byrne described Akorede’s performance as high energy and said that while a few bits could be improved upon, overall, it was a great jive.
Danny O'Carroll’s quickstep to Johnny Cash’s with dance partner Salome Chachua earned him 30 points.
Presenter Jennifer Zamparelli described O’Carroll’s dance as his comeback dance after he found himself in the dance-off last week.
“Sure, you were flying around like a mad thing,” Byrne said, describing it as “a great quickstep”.
Barry described it as a “toe-tapping performance” that engaged the whole audience.
Taking to the dancefloor for their team dances, the celebrities were split into two teams - Team Footloose and Team Timber.
Team Footloose, which consisted of Kevin Dundon, Jack Woolley and Kayleigh Trappe, received an impressive score of 35 from the judges, but it was Team Timber, consisting of Danny O’Carroll, Aishah Akorede and Rhys McClenaghan, that won the team dance with a score of 39.
