Dancing with The Stars: Local Dancers trot to the next round

Four local professional dancers again avoided being eliminated on RTÉ’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’ on Sunday evening – with their dazzling performances wowing the panel of judges and the public.

Among the professional dancers is Tallaght resident John Nolan, Ballyfermot native and Lucan resident Karen Byrne, Lucan woman Laura Nolan and Tallaght dancer Hannah Kelly.

Cyclist and former Olympian Nicolas Roche is partnered with Karen Byrne, who previously won the second series of the show alongside her partner, singer Jake Carter.

The duo received high praise from the judges Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond and Arthur Gourounlian, who noticed a significant improvement in Nicolas’ dancing skills.

Commenting on their performance of an American smooth to ‘Singin’ in the Rain’, Loraine said: “Well they say style lasts forever and I think this performance will stay with you forever.”

Arthur added: “Who are you, and what have you done with Nicolas? You are the definition of practice makes perfect”. Brian said the cyclist is “improving week-on-week.”

Karen and Nicolas received a score of 19 from the judges for their performance.

Cyclist Nicolas Roche and Karen Byrne during the Dancing With The Stars live show

Lucan’s Laura Nolan took to the stage with her celebrity dance partner, ‘Love Island’ star Matthew McNabb, to dance a foxtrot to Toy Story’s ‘You Got a Friend in Me’.

Speaking to Matthew on Sunday evening’s show, Loraine said: “You definitely have a friend in me tonight, and that is because I’m impressed!”

Arthur said: “You brought life to this dance tonight”, while Brian added: “Your dancing for the last few weeks has been pretty wooden, here you are dressed as Woody, finally moving with a bit of fluidity.”

Laura and Matthew got a score of 17 from the judges for their energetic footwork.

Tallaght resident and Xquisite Dance School teacher John Nolan danced a rumba to Shirley Bassey’s ‘Diamonds are Forever’ alongside TV presenter Gráinne Seoige, despite Gráinne suffering a quad injury earlier in the week.

The duo netted a score of 13 points, after the judges commented on a need for more fluidity in the performance.

Aslan’s Billy Mc Guinness and Hannah Kelly

Brian said: “It’s unfortunate that hip action was missing, just made it a little bit more cubic zirconia – a little bit more polishing needed on that diamond.”

Loraine commented: “My question is, is the injury stopping you from releasing the hips? That’s what’s missing here.”

Hannah Kelly, who at 19 is the youngest performer on the show, danced a paso doble to Journey’s ‘Any Way You Want It’ with her celebrity dance partner, Aslan’s Billy McGuinness.

Loraine said: “I know you are working hard, but we need more characterisation now”, while Arthur added: “You came on the dancefloor like a true rockstar. Overall, great entertainment.”

Brian said: “I think I would probably describe you as one of the most consistent dancers I’ve ever seen. Build that characterisation.”

Hannah and Billy scored 14 points from the judges.

All of the aforementioned duos managed to avoid elimination this week, after comedian Neil Delamere and his dance partner Kylee Vincent ended their dancing journey as, despite achieving a high score from the judges, they didn’t fare as well in the public vote and had to hang up their dancing shoes.

‘Dancing with the Stars’ is on RTÉ One on Sunday at 6.30pm.