Dancing with the Stars recap: First dance-off sees RTÉ star depart

Anne Cassin bows out after dramatic dance-off as leaderboard shake-up delivers standout performances and near-perfect scores

RTÉ Nationwide Presenter Anne Cassin was eliminated from the competition this week. Pictures: Kyran O’Brien /kobpix 

Nationwide presenter Anne Cassin has been eliminated from Dancing with the Stars.

Her exit followed the first dance-off of the 2026 season, where she went head-to-head with Olympian Philip Doyle.

Donning a glittery leopard-print outfit for a jive to Can’t Tame Her by Zara Larsson, the judges praised Cassin’s characterisation but said the routine “lacked oomph” and “control”.

As she departed, Cassin said the experience had been completely “absorbing, challenging, difficult,” but that she had “enjoyed every moment.”

Olympian Philip Doyle found himself in the dance-off.

Doyle, who unexpectedly finished bottom of the leaderboard last week, bounced back with “a master performance,” according to head judge Oti Mabuse.

“One of the best tango frames we’ve had in this competition," she added. He scored 33.

In week six, two dancers earned top marks from at least one judge.

Singer Tolu Makay earned her first 10.

Singer-songwriter Tolü Makay received a standing ovation from Arthur Gourounlian and her first 10 from him for a contemporary ballroom routine he described as “striking.”

“You’ve proven you can do it all,” Brian Redmond added, while Karen Byrne said she “absolutely loved it.” Makay shot up the leaderboard with 37 points.

However, she faced stiff competition. Ireland AM presenter Eric Roberts’ Charleston to Happy by Derek Martin had three of the four judges on their feet.

"The dance of the night, by a mile," Byrne said. "The swivels were perfect, the creativity in the choreography ... brilliant." 

Roberts scored a near-perfect 39, receiving 10s from all judges except Redmond.

'Ireland AM' host Eric Roberts almost achieved a perfect 40.

“There was nothing chill about it, it was so precise, so neat,” Byrne said. She scored 34.

Also on the rise were Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh and Fair City star Stephanie Kelly.

Kavanagh leaned into her panto villain persona for a paranormal paso doble, with judges agreeing it was one of her strongest performances so far.

"You carried this story from beginning to end," Mabuse said. Her score of 31 marked a personal best.

Kelly, meanwhile, opened Sunday night’s show with a spooky salsa to Cascada’s Evacuate the Dancefloor.

“Loads of energy, you just need to control that energy a touch,” Redmond said. She scored 26.

'The Apprentice' star Jordan Dargan fell victim to 'celebrity killer' the samba.

After earning the first tens of the season last Sunday, The Apprentice UK star Jordan Dargan took on a samba — one of the most challenging dances for celebrities.

“You looked like you were having the time of your life,” Mabuse said. “But ... the samba bits. You just didn’t give it."

“Your upper body was a little bit weak,” Gourounlian added.

“We expect loads from you ... it wasn’t your best dance, but it wasn’t your worst; it was still a great dance,” Byrne said. He scored 28.

Paudie Moloney impressed with his 'powerful but aloof' paso doble.

It was also a strong night for Traitors Ireland star Paudie Moloney, who doubled his score from last week.

His paso doble to The Traitors theme tune was “powerful but aloof,” exactly what the dance requires, Redmond said.

“Your strides were perfection, you gave us the tension in your frame, welcome back Paudie,” Mabuse said.

He scored 23.

• Dancing with the Stars continues Sundays on RTÉ One at 6.30pm and is available on the RTÉ Player.