Dancing with the Stars returned for a third series on 6 January 2019 on RTÉ One for a twelve-week run.
Nicky Byrne returned as host for a third year, joined by Jennifer Zamparelli who replaces Amanda Byram as co-host.
Brian Redmond, Loraine Barry and Julian Benson all returned as judges.
Couples On 2 December 2018, Mairéad Ronan, was officially announced as the first celebrity to be taking part. Celebrity reveals then continued every day until 7 December when the final three contestants were revealed during an appearance on The Late Late Show.
On 26 December 2018, professional dancer Curtis Pritchard was involved in an incident where he and his brother, AJ Pritchard, were attacked in a nightclub by eight people. Curtis sustained injuries to his face, eye and knee. Because of the attack, Curtis was forced to undergo surgery on his knee, he was therefore ruled out of taking part in the series until further notice. It was confirmed he would be replaced by a new professional dancer. On 4 January 2019, Curtis' replacement was confirmed as being former Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Trent Whiddon. The rest of the pairings were revealed later that day on the pre-show, Can't Stop Dancing.
Celebrity Known for Professional StatusEilish O'CarrollMrs Brown’s Boys actressRyan McShane Eliminated 1st on 20 January 2019Holly CarpenterFormer Miss IrelandTrent Whiddon Eliminated 2nd on 27 January 2019Darren Kennedy TV presenter & style entrepreneurKaren Byrne Eliminated 3rd on 3 February 2019Demi Isaac OviaweThe Young Offenders actressKai Widdrington Eliminated 4th on 17 February 2019 Peter StringerFormer rugby playerKsenia Zsikhotska Eliminated 5th on 24 February 2019 Denis BastickFormer Dublin GAA footballerValeria MilovaEliminated 6th on 3 March 2019 Clelia MurphyFair City actressVitali KozminEliminated 7th on 10 March 2019 Fred CookeComedianGiulia Dotta Eliminated 8th on 17 March 2019Cliona HaganCountry music singerRobert Rowiński Runners-up on 24 March 2019Johnny WardActorEmily BarkerMairéad RonanTelevision & radio presenterJohn NolanWinners on 24 March 2019
Scoring chart CouplePlace1231/2+345676+789101112Mairéad & John1—18244224252624502122+26=4827+3=3024+=5429++=Johnny & Emily222—194125201927462928+26=5430+5=35+28=++=88Cliona & Robert—21204121222825533025+29=5425+4=2922+28=50++=Fred & Giulia412—233513171424382420+26=4617+2=19 +=Clelia & Vitali5—19214026212423472526+29=5519+1=20Denis & Valeria615—173214232120412324+29=53Peter & Ksenia716—14302019162541Demi & Kai8—10142420161321Darren & Karen916—14301818Holly & Trent10—16153116Eilish & Ryan11—151227
Red numbers indicate the couples with the lowest score for each week. Green numbers indicate the couples with the highest score for each week. the couple eliminated that week the returning couple that was called forward and eventually last to be called safe, but was not necessarily in the bottom the returning couple that finished in the bottom two and competed in the Dance-Off the winning couple the runner-up couple
Average chart This table only counts for single dances scored on a traditional 30-points scale. It does not include the Team Dance or Marathon scores. Rank byaveragePlaceCoupleTotalpointsNumber ofdancesTotalaverage12Johnny & Emily3621425.8621Mairéad & John35425.262Cliona & Robert45Clelia & Vitali204922.6756Denis & Valeria157819.6364Fred & Giulia2091119.0077Peter & Ksenia130718.5789Darren & Karen 66416.50910Holly & Trent47315.678Demi & Kai9461111Eilish & Ryan27213.50
Highest and lowest scoring performances The highest and lowest performances in each dance according to the judges' scale are as follows. DanceCelebrityHighest scoreCelebrityLowest scoreTangoJohnny Ward29Denis Bastick14Cha-cha-chaCliona Hagan28Demi Isaac Oviawe10SalsaClelia MurphyMairéad Ronan26Peter StringerHolly Carpenter16FoxtrotJohnny Ward28Demi Isaac Oviawe14CharlestonMairéad Ronan2913WaltzCliona Hagan30Holly Carpenter15QuickstepPeter Stringer14JiveJohnny WardDarren KennedyRumbaJohnny WardCliona Hagan27Demi Isaac Oviawe16Paso dobleJohnny Ward28Fred Cooke14American Smooth2713Contemporary BallroomJohnny WardMairéad Ronan30SambaCliona HaganJohnny Ward28Eilish O'Carroll12Viennese waltzMairéad Ronan30Peter Stringer19ShowdanceMairéad RonanJohnny WardCliona Hagan Team DanceClelia MurphyCliona HaganDenis Bastick29Fred CookeJohnny WardMairéad Ronan26 EurothonJohnny Ward5Clelia Murphy1
Couples' highest and lowest scoring dances CoupleHighest scoring danceLowest scoring danceMairéad & JohnViennese waltzContemporary BallroomShowdance (30)Waltz (18)Cliona & RobertWaltzQuickstepShowdance (30)Rumba (20)Johnny & EmilyContemporary BallroomJiveShowdance (30)FoxtrotQuickstep (19)Fred & GiuliaQuickstepJiveSalsa (24)Cha-cha-cha (12)Clelia & VitaliSalsaCharleston (26)JiveWaltz (19)Denis & ValeriaPaso doble (24)Tango (14)Peter & KseniaCharleston (25)Quickstep (14)Demi & KaiViennese waltz (21)Cha-cha-cha (10)Darren & KarenCharlestonSalsa (18)Jive (14)Holly & TrentSalsaFoxtrot (16)Waltz (15)Eilish & RyanTango (15)Samba (12)
Weekly scores and songs Unless indicated otherwise, individual judges scores in the charts below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Brian Redmond, Loraine Barry, Julian Benson.
Week 1 Guest act: Series 2 champions, Jake Carter and Karen Byrne performing a Contemporary Ballroom to 'Sign of the Times'.
Running order (Men)
CoupleScoreDanceMusicDarren & Karen16 (5, 5, 6)Tango"Sharp Dressed Man" — ZZ TopDenis & Valeria15 (4, 5, 6)American Smooth"It's a Beautiful Day" — Michael BubléFred & Giulia12 (3, 4, 5)Cha-cha-cha"Sexy and I Know It" — LMFAOJohnny & Emily22 (7, 7, 8)Jive"Johnny B. Goode" — Leif GarrettPeter & Ksenia16 (5, 5, 6)Salsa"Come with Me" — Ricky Martin
Week 2 Guest act: Ryan Mack performing 'Sofa'.
Running order (Women)
CoupleScoreDanceMusicHolly & Trent16 (5, 5, 6)Salsa"Neon Lights" — Demi LovatoEilish & Ryan15 (5, 5, 5)Tango"I Can't Tell a Waltz from a Tango" — Alma CoganDemi & Kai10 (3, 3, 4)Cha-cha-cha"Cut to the Feeling" — Carly Rae JepsenCliona & Robert21 (7, 7, 7)Quickstep"Country Girl (Shake It for Me)" — Luke BryanMairéad & John18 (6, 6, 6)Waltz"You Light Up My Life" — Whitney HoustonClelia & Vitali19 (5, 7, 7)Jive"Tell Her About It" — Billy Joel
Week 3
Running order CoupleScoreDanceMusicResultMairéad & John24 (8, 8, 8)Charleston"Bom Bom" — Sam and the WompSafeDemi & Kai14 (4, 5, 5)Foxtrot"After All" — The Frank and WaltersLast to be called safeEilish & Ryan12 (3, 4, 5)Samba"Eso Beso" — Emma BuntonEliminatedCliona & Robert20 (7, 6, 7)Rumba"Let You Love Me" — Rita OraSafePeter & Ksenia14 (5, 4, 5)Quickstep"Wake Me Up" — AviciiLast to be called safe Denis & Valeria17 (5, 6, 6)Cha-cha-cha"Promises (David Guetta Remix)" — Calvin Harris and Sam SmithSafe Clelia & Vitali21 (7, 7, 7)Tango"Verano Porteño"—Astor PiazzollaSafe Darren & Karen14 (4, 5, 5)Jive"Fun, Fun, Fun" — The Beach Boys and Royal Philharmonic OrchestraSafeHolly & Trent15 (5, 5, 5)Waltz"Lollipops and Roses" — Jack JonesSafeFred & Giulia23 (7, 8, 8)Charleston"Right Said Fred" — Bernard CribbinsSafeJohnny & Emily19 (6, 6, 7)Foxtrot"This Town" — Niall HoranSafe
Week 4: Movie Week
Running order
CoupleScoreDanceMusicMovieResultCliona & Robert21 (6, 7, 8)Jive"Perfect Day" — HokuLegally BlondeLast to be called safeHolly & Trent16 (5, 5, 6)Foxtrot"Beauty and the Beast" — Emma ThompsonBeauty and the BeastEliminatedDenis & Valeria14 (4, 5, 5)Tango"Danger Zone" — Kenny LogginsTop GunSafeDemi & Kai20 (6, 6, 8)Salsa"One Night Only" — Beyoncé, Anika Noni Rose and Sharon LealDreamgirlsSafeFred & Giulia13 (4, 4, 5)American Smooth"The Pink Panther Theme" — Henry ManciniThe Pink PantherLast to be called safeJohnny & Emily25 (8, 8, 9)Viennese waltz"Kiss from a Rose" — SealBatman ForeverSafeDarren & Karen18 (6, 6, 6)Charleston"I Wanna Be Like You" — The OvertonesThe Jungle BookSafeMairéad & John24 (8, 8, 8)Tango"Oh, Pretty Woman" — Roy Orbison and The Royal Philharmonic OrchestraPretty WomanSafePeter & Ksenia20 (6, 7, 7)Paso doble"Un Poco Loco" — Anthony Gonzalez and Gael García BernalCocoSafeClelia & Vitali26 (8, 9, 9)Salsa"Night Fever" — Bee GeesSaturday Night FeverSafe
Week 5: Most Memorable Year Week
Running order
CoupleScoreDanceMusicResultFred & Giulia17 (5, 6, 6)Tango"Beat It"—Michael JacksonSafePeter & Ksenia19 (6, 6, 7)Viennese waltz"A Thousand Years"—Christina PerriSafeDarren & Karen18 (6, 6, 6)Salsa"María" — Ricky MartinEliminatedDemi & Kai16 (5, 5, 6)Rumba"Dance with My Father" — Luther VandrossSafeDenis & Valeria23 (7, 8, 8)Charleston"The Power" — Snap!Last to be called safeClelia & Vitali21 (7, 7, 7)Viennese waltz"The Fair City Waltz" — Hugh Drumm & Adam LynchLast to be called safeJohnny & Emily20 (7, 6, 7)Cha-cha-cha"Picture of You" — BoyzoneSafeCliona & Robert22 (7, 7, 8)American Smooth"Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" — Shania TwainSafeMairéad & John25 (8, 8, 9)Contemporary Ballroom"Rule the World" — Take ThatSafe
Week 6: Switch-Up Week Guest act: Wild Youth performing 'Making Me Dance'.
Running order
CoupleScoreDanceMusicPeter & Valeria16 (5, 5, 6)Cha-cha-cha"Body" — Loud Luxury feat. brandoDemi & Robert13 (4, 4, 5)Charleston"Wings" — Little MixFred & Emily14 (4, 5, 5)Paso doble"Y Viva España" — Black LaceJohnny & Ksenia19 (6, 6, 7)Quickstep"Are You Gonna Be My Girl" — JetDenis & Giulia21 (7, 7, 7)Jive"Great Balls of Fire" — Jerry Lee LewisClelia & John24 (8, 8, 8)Quickstep"Stop Me from Falling" — Kylie MinogueMairéad & Kai26 (8, 9, 9)Salsa"Dance Again" — Jennifer Lopez feat. PitbullCliona & Vitali28 (9, 9, 10)Samba"Taki Taki" — DJ Snake feat. Selena Gomez, Ozuna & Cardi B
Week 7 Individual judges scores in the charts below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Brian Redmond, Loraine Barry, Darren Bennett.
Due to an illness, Darren Bennett filled in for Julian Benson for the night.
Running order
CoupleScoreDanceMusicResultClelia & Vitali23 (7, 8, 8)Cha-cha-cha"She's a Lady" — Tom JonesSafeDenis & Valeria20 (6, 7, 7)Waltz"I Wonder Why" — Curtis StigersSafeCliona & Robert25 (8, 8, 9)Tango"Sweet but Psycho" — Ava MaxSafeDemi & Kai21 (7, 7, 7)Viennese waltz"Fallin'" — Alicia KeysEliminatedFred & Giulia24 (8, 8, 8)Quickstep"Dancin' Fool" — from CopacabanaBottom two Johnny & Emily27 (9, 9, 9)Rumba"Say You Won't Let Go" — James ArthurSafeMairéad & John24 (8, 8, 8)Quickstep"Nothing Breaks Like a Heart" — Mark Ronson feat. Miley CyrusLast to be called safePeter & Ksenia25 (8, 9, 8)Charleston"Pencil Full of Lead" — Paolo NutiniSafe Dance-Off
Judges' votes to save
Bennett: Fred & Giulia Redmond: Fred & Giulia Barry: Did not vote, but would have voted to save Fred & Giulia
Week 8: Orchestra Night Individual judges scores in the charts below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Brian Redmond, Loraine Barry, Darren Bennett.
Darren Bennett filled in for Julian Benson.
All performances this week are accompanied by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.
Running order
CoupleScoreDanceMusicResultMairéad & John21 (7, 7, 7)Samba"Copacabana" — Barry ManilowSafeDenis & Valeria23 (7, 8, 8)Foxtrot"Someone like You" — AdeleSafeClelia & Vitali25 (8, 8, 9)Paso doble"Funiculì, Funiculà" — Luigi Denza & Peppino TurcoBottom twoPeter & Ksenia20 (6, 7, 7)American Smooth"New York, New York" — Frank SinatraEliminatedJohnny & Emily29 (9, 10, 10)Tango"Viva la Vida" — ColdplaySafeCliona & Robert30 (10, 10, 10)Waltz"A Time for Us" — Henry ManciniSafeFred & Giulia24 (8, 8, 8)Jive"I'm Still Standing" — Elton JohnLast to be called safe Dance-Off
Judges' votes to save
Bennett: Clelia & Vitali Redmond: Clelia & Vitali Barry: Did not vote, but would have voted to save Clelia & Vitali
Week 9: Team Dance Week Julian Benson returned to the panel following a two-week absence.
After each couple performed their individual dance, all six couples were separated into two teams to perform a team dance to earn a higher individual scores.
Running order