Shock exit rocks Dancing With The Stars as fan favourite leaves week before final
Contestants had to dance twice for the judges to fight for their place in the finale next week.
Jordan Dargan has been eliminated tonight from the Dancing with the Stars semi-final.
This week, the remaining five contestants faced an extra challenge. After they performed their individual dance, each couple danced for a second time in a ‘Time Machine Trio’, where they were joined on the floor by a second professional dancer.
The end result was a Dance-Off between Jordan and Tolu Makay. Alongside pro partner Rebecca Scott, Jordan is the last celebrity to leave the competition before the Grand Finale next Sunday.
Opening the show tonight was The Traitors Ireland star Paudie Moloney and pro partner Laura Nolan as they danced an American Smooth to “Cheek to Cheek” by Matthew Morrison and Jane Lynch. They received a score of 26 - Paudie's highest score of the series.
Head judge Oti Mabuse said: "You're so likeable. When I watch you, I don't feel nervous."
Paudie and Laura then danced a Samba to Psy’s groundbreaking K-Pop smash ‘Gangnam Style’ alongside trio partner Robert Rowiński. This dance got a score of 24.
"Madness, from start to finish, and you can take that any way you want," said judge Brian Redmond. Their overall score on the night was 50.
The Apprentice UK star Jordan Dargan and pro partner Rebecca Scott danced a Cha Cha Cha to ‘Dreamer’ by Livin’ Joy. They earned a score of 38.
Judge Karen Byrne said: "I absolutely loved that choreography. That was deadly."
Jordan and Rebecca then danced a Charleston to the Beatles’ hit ‘Help!’ alongside pro dancer James Cutler for their second dance. Their second dance got a score of 39.
"Jordan let me tell you something, you definitely didn't need any help tonight," said judge Arthur Gourounlian.
They walked away with a score of 77 for the night.
Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins and her pro partner Leonardo Lini danced a Charleston to ‘Charleston’ by Bob Wilson & His Varsity Rhythm Boys. The performance earned them a standing ovation from all of the judges and they snagged a score of 40.
Oti said: "You are an absolute diamond. For me, that was dance of the season."
Katelyn and Leonardo then danced a Samba to Beyoncé’s iconic ‘Single Ladies (Put a Ring On it)’, alongside pro dancer Alex Vladimirov. The sensational performance won them a score of 38.
"An iconic performance," said Brian.
Their overall score for the night was 78.
Singer songwriter Tolü Makay and her pro partner Maciej Zięba danced a Paso Doble to Welcome to the Jungle’ by Guns 'N' Roses. They walked away with a score of 36.
Karen said: "Tolu you are just a powerhouse. The strength you had in that Paso Doble from the beginning right to the end."
Tolü and Maciej then went on to dance a Jive to ‘Tutti Frutti’ by Little Richard alongside pro dancer Stephen Vincent. It was a super fun performance that left them with a score of 35.
"That jive was juicy and I couldn't take my eyes off you," said Arthur.
Their overall score from the night was 71.
Ireland AM Eric Roberts and his pro partner Arianna Favaro danced a Salsa to ‘Boogie Wonderland’ by Earth, Wind & Fire. The impressive routine won them a score of 39.
Oti said: "Wow Eric, that was fantastic. I loved it; it was clean, it was crisp."
Eric and Arianna then closed the show alongside Kylee Vincent for a Quickstep to ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ by The Puppini Sisters. They got an impressive score of 40.
Brian said: "This is so difficult. I think you're well entitled to blow your own trumpet."
Eric ended up with an overall score of 79 - top of the leaderboard.
The finale of Dancing With The Stars airs next week, March 15th, at 6.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
