Hitting the Dancefloor: Local dancers and hoops player on Dancing with the Stars

Shamrock Rovers footballer Stephanie Roche took to the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ dancefloor on Sunday evening.

Appearing on the first episode of the new series of the hit RTÉ show alongside professional dancer Ervinas Merfeldas, Stephanie danced a cha-cha to ‘Crazy What Love Can Do’.

The couple were the first performers in the new series of the show, which Stephanie told host Jennifer Zamparelli was “terrifying”.

Stephanie’s fears were unfounded, however, as the duo achieved a respectable score of 13 from judges Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond and Arthur Gourounlian.

Arthur remarked: “You should be very proud of yourself opening ‘Dancing with the Stars’ 2023. Now we need a little more oomph!”

Brian was unimpressed, noting: “I don’t think it was a winning start”, while Loraine told Stephanie: “You need to trust your dance partner more.”

Later in the show, professional dancer Laura Nolan, from Lucan, put her best foot forward when she danced with comedian Kevin McGahern.

Laura and Kevin danced a Viennese waltz to ‘You Know Me’ by Robbie Williams, and received a score of 19 from the judges.

Rugby Star Shane Byrne with his Dance Partner, Ballyfermot native, Karen Byrne

Brian said: “Overall a decent start for the ballroom boys to follow”, while Loraine was similarly impressed, commenting: “A very, very good start.”

Arthur enthused: “I was very impressed with this. You did very good for your first dance.”

Ballyfermot woman Karen Byrne donned her dancing shoes to perform an energetic quickstep to The Beatles’ ‘Help!’ alongside former rugby player Shane Byrne.

The duo received a score of 17 from the three judges, who praised the energy that flowed through Karen and Shane’s performance.

Loraine said: “I’m happy! Great agility and I know Karen will drill you to make it work – well done.”

Arthur added: “Please bring this energy and passion every week.”

Brian commented: “I’m slightly shocked the quickstep was really, really strong. You spent the whole thing looking down – a little more entertainment would be good but overall, well done.”

The next episode of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ is on RTÉ One on Sunday at 6.30pm.