Dancing with the Stars recap: Amid blockbuster performances, it's end credits for Brian Kennedy

Head judge Oti Mabuse said Jordan Dargan's contemporary ballrom was 'something you deliver in a final'

Singer Brian Kennedy performed a dramatic Paso Doble, but it wasn't enough to keep him in the competition. Pictures: Kyran O’Brien /kobpix 

Brian Kennedy has become the second contestant to leave this year’s Dancing with the Stars.

The singer had found himself at the bottom of the leaderboard following his Paso Doble to The Phantom of the Opera, which earned him just 15 points from the judges.

“You look like you’re looking to [dance partner] Jamie for help,” head judge Oti Mabuse had noted.

His performance stood in stark contrast to The Apprentice's Jordan Dargan, whose captivating contemporary ballroom to the Avatar theme brought judge Arthur Gourounlian to his feet.

"That was mesmerising,” he said. “It was blockbuster."

His fellow judges agreed.

Jordan Dargan and pro dance partner Rebecca Scott delivered a mesmerising performance 

“The side-by-side contemporary was so in sync.. unbelievable,” judge Karen Byrne commented asking, "are you a pro?” 

“That is something you deliver in a final,” Mabuse added. He earned 34 points from the judges.

Still, it wasn't enough to land him top of the leaderboard. That honour went, once again, to Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins who delivered a delightful American Smooth to Whistle While You Work from Snow White, earning her the night’s highest score – 35.

“From beginning to end you were completely in character,” Byrne said. “It kept getting better and better,” Mabuse added.

Eric Roberts scored well for his Samba

Ireland AM presenter Eric Roberts seemed to grow even more confident behind his mask during his Samba to ‘Cuban Pete’ from the Jim Carrey comedy.

“Every move was exaggerated in the best possible way.. You didn’t just dance, you gave us a moment,” Gourounlian commented.

Judge Brian Redmond however, found his impressive characterisation didn’t mask the “lack of technique”. 

He still scored an impressive 31.

Olympian Philip Doyle opened the show as Superman

Rower Philip Doyle also had a great night, donning the red cape and spandex for a Paso Doble to the Superman theme tune.

“Intense, strong... the body shaping was beautiful,” judge Byrne said. He earned 29 points.

Fair City star Stephanie Kelly saw herself inching towards the top third of the leaderboard after her Quickstep to You’re the One That I Want from Grease.

“The confidence is oozing out of you.. Look at you go!” Byrne commented. Though Redmond did say it was “as bumpy as a day at the dodgers at times” (He seemed to be particularly prickly tonight).

Nevertheless, she scored an impressive 27.

Unfortunately, singer Tolü Makay had a bit of a dip this week. Her cha-cha-cha to Christina Aguilera and Missy Elliott’s version of Car Wash from the movie Shark Tale left the judges focusing on her footwork, which they all agreed needs to improve.

“The leg action was improved from your week two samba,” Byrne commented, however. She scored 26.

Podcaster Amber Wilson and her partner Alex Vladimirov as Elphaba and Glinda from Wicked

Podcaster Amber Wilson – whose sister Vogue Williams was in the studio audience cheering her on - and her partner Alex Vladimirov became Glinda and Elphaba from Wicked for their contemporary ballroom.

“It’s getting there, but you need to become more independent,” Redmond commented. 

“You showed strength, those lifts are not easy,” Mabuse said, however, she added, "the ballroom bit let you down as it wasn’t smooth.” She scored 22.

Movie Week was especially meaningful for Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh, who danced to Destination Anywhere from The Commitments. Kavanagh actually auditioned for a role in the film in the early 1990s and, while she missed out on appearing onscreen, her lead vocal featured prominently on the soundtrack. So, it was a full-circle moment as she danced to her own vocal from the movie.

Redmond said it was “a bit of a rocky start,” but it improved as it went on, while head judge Mabuse said “you keep bringing it, and I can’t wait to see more of it.” She earned 23 points.

Presenter Anne Cassin dedicated her cha-cha-cha to ‘Fame’ to her former Nationwide colleague Niall Martin who passed away over the weekend.

Presenter Anne Cassin dedicated her Fame-themed cha-cha-cha to former colleague Niall Martin who passed away over the weekend. “He was so supportive, he was texting me from the hospital,” she said.

“The cha-cha-cha I saw in the first half was very good,” judge Redmond acknowledged, but the presenter lost her timing in the second half, which affected all of the judges' scores. She walked away with 18.

The Traitors’ Paudie Moloney's Flintstone-themed Charleston left Mabuse “speechless” but perhaps not in the best sense of the word...

“You’re good at performing,” she continued, “But I would have liked to see a bit more Charleston.” He scored 16 points from the judges.

• Dancing with the Stars airs Sundays at 6:30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player